The Tomball Blogger Jesse Smith

The Tomball Amazon Store

jessecsmithjr@gmail.com (Jesse C Smith Jr) — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 13:16:00 +0000

This is my Amazon Associates Store. Owned by Jesse C Smith Jr, Tomball, Texas. Check it out and find anything you want new or used. You can also list your items for sale. Click on the title of this post to see my store.

You gotta love retirees

jessecsmithjr@gmail.com (Jesse C Smith Jr) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 08:33:00 +0000

__________________________________________

Subject: You gotta love retirees

A TRIP TO COSTCO

Yesterday I was at my local COSTCO buying a large
bag of Purina dog chow for my loyal pet, Biscuit,
the Wonder Dog and was in the checkout line when a
woman behind me asked if I had a dog.

What did she think I had, an elephant? So since
I'm retired and have little to do, on impulse I
told her that no, I didn't have a dog, I was
starting the Purina Diet again. I added that I
probably shouldn't, because I ended up in the
hospital last time, but that I'd lost 50 pounds
before I awakened in an intensive care ward with
tubes coming out of most of my orifices and IVs in
both arms.

I told her that it was essentially a perfect diet
and that the way that it works is to load your
pants pockets with Purina nuggets and simply eat
one or two every time e you feel hungry. The food is
nutritionally complete so it works well and I was
going to try it again. (I have to mention here
that practically everyone in line was now
enthralled with my story.) Horrified, she asked if
I ended up in intensive care because the dog food
poisoned me. I told her no, I stepped off a curb
to sniff an Irish Setter's butt and a car hit us
both.

I thought the guy behind her was going to have a
heart attack he was laughing so hard.

Costco won't let me shop there anymore.

Better watch what you ask retired people. They
have all the time in the world to think of crazy
things to say. Forward this (especially) to all
your retired friends......it will be their Laugh
for the day

The Hill Bar & Grill, 33111 Haley Rd, Waller, Texas. GREAT FOOD

jessecsmithjr@gmail.com (Jesse C Smith Jr) — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 05:57:00 +0000

Stopped by one of my favorite places Thursday and ate. Still great food and staff. Got to talk to Teri Giles. What a great manager. By the way, the mens room was very clean.

Check the web site for outside activities in the new arena.

My Thought For Today from Jesse Smith

jessecsmithjr@gmail.com (Jesse C Smith Jr) — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 04:45:00 +0000

Sometimes we forget to take the time to recognize the richness that defines our lives. This may be because many of the messages we encounter as we go about our affairs prompt us to think about what we don’t have rather than all the abundance we do enjoy.

KLEINS SUPERMARKET LOCALLY OWNED

jessecsmithjr@gmail.com (Jesse C Smith Jr) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 03:24:00 +0000

Kleins Super Market

Tomball, TX

Pharmacies, Grocery Stores

Review Date: 10/20/2009

Today I decided to try Klein's due to a special I couldn't resist. It was a pleasure to walk in and see the owner Mr Robert Klein in the store. He stopped and talked. This man and his family have given so much to the Tomball Community. I will go back and ask you to also.

For Sale Rare black left handed 1993 Gibson Herb Ellis ES-165

jessecsmithjr@gmail.com (Jesse C Smith Jr) — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 05:06:00 +0000

Rare black left handed 1993 Gibson Herb Ellis ES-165. This model ES-165 is no longer made, it is sure to gain value over the years as with most quality Gibson Guitars. This guitar looks and plays beautifully. Lefty guitars of quality are hard to come by.

Comes with OHSC. Will consider nice Astro cargo van for trade. $1600 cash. Sorry no shipping. Serious only please......

Thanks. hairygoomertoo@att.net

Beautiful Rose

jessecsmithjr@gmail.com (Jesse C Smith Jr) — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 00:40:00 +0000

Beautiful Rose
Originally uploaded by Jesse C Smith Jr

Another flower I will share.

Grand Parkway stretch in W. Harris Co. not so shovel-ready after all

jessecsmithjr@gmail.com (Jesse C Smith Jr) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 14:11:00 +0000

Grand Parkway stretch in W. Harris Co. not so shovel-ready after all

via chron.com Chronicle

A county official says there's no way permitting for the segment from U.S. 290 to I-10 could be done in time to meet federal stimulus requirements.

Buc-ee's Stores are Great

jessecsmithjr@gmail.com (Jesse C Smith Jr) — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 23:57:00 +0000

I have to tell you

via Buc-ee's Beaver Blog by Buc-ee's Beaver on 10/14/09

bill
baytown ,tx
I have to tell you, that my family and I had never heard of Buc-ee\'s until our family trip to Fort Worth, Texas. And this was the most amazing place EVER! Your staff was friendly, helpful and had big Texas smiles. The restrooms were outstanding. Very clean and lots of them. (yeah)
My daughter now stops there between our home and Fort Worth-where she attends college. It is very reassuring to me for her to stop there. I feel like it is a safe, clean, great place for her to stretch her legs, grab a bite to eat, and to fill up on gas.

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CHECK YOUR INTERNET SPEED SEE IF YOUR GETTING WHAT YOU PAY FOR

jessecsmithjr@gmail.com (Jesse C Smith Jr) — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 23:45:00 +0000

HELLO FROM JESSE, TEST YOUR INTERNETS SPEED AND SEE IF YOUR GETTING WHAT YOU PAY FOR. Hope your doing well.

Dear Friend,
Americans are charged more for slower internet speeds, and our current high-speed networks don't even reach millions of households. It's time for that to change -- and you can play a part. Testing your own speed will help make our new community research project, SpeedMatters.org, a success.
Are you getting your money's worth? Find out now:
www.speedmatters.org/fastfriend
We're falling behind in the global economy because we won't invest in the technology to bring the benefits of this telecommunications revolution to most of our population. We're the only industrialized country without a national policy to promote high- speed Internet access.
That's why you're getting this email. Testing your connection's speed now will help us better understand the American average -- and craft an effective public policy and awareness campaign.
Take the speed test:
www.speedmatters.org/fastfriend
High speed Internet means more than smooth web videos or fast downloads.
Advanced high capacity communications networks can increase democratic and civic participation, improve the delivery of health care, education, job training, public safety and other vital services.
What are we waiting for? It's time to close the digital divide.
Thanks!

FLOWERS

jessecsmithjr@gmail.com (Jesse C Smith Jr) — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 01:08:00 +0000

FLOWERS
Originally uploaded by Jesse C Smith Jr

Another flower I want to share.

TOMATO HORN WORM ON MY PLANT

jessecsmithjr@gmail.com (Jesse C Smith Jr) — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 15:38:00 +0000

TOMATO HORN WORM
Originally uploaded by Jesse C Smith Jr

Tomato Horn Worms
Tomato Hornworms are the larva of a huge moth called five-spotted hawkmoth. Approximate size of the moth is around the size of a hummingbird so you can’t miss them. The hawkmoth is gray-brown with yellow spots on the sides of their body.

BANK ROBBERS

jessecsmithjr@gmail.com (Jesse C Smith Jr) — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 15:09:00 +0000

BanditTracker.com

AUSTIN - 10/06/2009

Posted: 07 Oct 2009 12:49 PM PDT

Date:	2009-10-07
Location:	Bank of America
Address:	2411 W. Parmer Lane
City:	Austin
State:	Texas
Race:	Unknown
Sex:	Male
Hair:	Brown
Eyes:	Unknown
Height:	5’ 8" to 6’ 1"
Description:	Tan colored hooded jacket, cotton work gloves, grey or khaki ski mask.
Narrative:	Suspect entered bank and demanded money.
Contact:	FBI @ 512-343-4400

Abilene, TX, 5/4/09

Posted: 07 Oct 2009 06:56 AM PDT

Date:	2009-05-04
Location:	First Financial Bank Sweetwater-Trent
Address:	117 North Main
City:	Trent
State:	TX
Race:	Hispanic
Sex:	Male
Description:	Susp.1: H/M; 5'4"; heavy set; faded red sweatshirt; bright red pick-up. Susp.2: H/M; gray sweatshirt; blue jeans.
Narrative:	Two Hispanic males entered the bank, demanded money at gunpoint and fled.
Contact:	Abilene FBI (325-677-9191)
Weapon Shown:	Yes
Weapons:	Handguns

Camo bandit-Fort Worth Community C.U.

Posted: 06 Oct 2009 01:57 PM PDT

Date:	2009-10-06
Location:	Fort Worth Community Credit Union
Address:	5324 Wedgmont Circle N
City:	Fort Worth
State:	TX
Zip:	76133
Race:	White
Sex:	Male
Hair:	Brown
Eyes:	Unknown
Height:	5’ 5" to 5’ 7"
Description:	Early to mid 20's, thin build. Green trucker's cap with white mesh back. There is a patch or emblem on the front of the cap. Camouflage short sleeved t-shirt over a long-sleeved blue thermal shirt, dirty jeans, white tennis shoes. The robber wore dark sunglasses and had no facial hair.
Narrative:	The robber entered the credit union and approached one of the tellers. He presented her with a robbery demand note and showed her a revolver in his waistband. The teller handed over a quantity of money from her cash drawer and the robber fled the bank on foot. He was last seen at Wedgmont Circle N and Granbury Road near a Shell station.
Contact:	Detective Michael S. Baggott/817.989.3330
Weapon Shown:	Yes
Weapons:	dark colored revolver with wooden grips

Dow Unveils Impressive New Powerhouse Solar Shingle (with Photos)

jessecsmithjr@gmail.com (Jesse C Smith Jr) — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 15:07:00 +0000

Sent to you by Jesse C Smith Jr via Google Reader:

Dow Unveils Impressive New Powerhouse Solar Shingle (with Photos)

via Green Building : Jetson Green by Preston Koerner on 10/6/09

Yesterday, Dow Chemical Company (NYSE: DOW) unveiled its new line of DOW POWERHOUSE Solar Shingle. The Solar Shingle was designed to be integrated into rooftops with standard asphalt shingle materials. Dow expects the shingle systems to be available in limited quantities by mid-2010 and more widely available in 2011. And although the company says the system will provide a low-cost solar option for homeowners, we have not received any specific pricing details at this time (see below).

The POWERHOUSE Solar Shingle is made with CIGS photovoltaic cells in a proprietary shingle design. Roofing contractors won't need any particular knowledge of solar array installations, and installations should be quick because conventional roofing shingles and Solar Shingles can be applied at the same time.
Jane Palmieri, Managing Director of Dow Solar Solutions, described the benefits of the integrated system as follows: "Consumers reap the benefits of our innovation. This is about providing roof protection and electricity generation all from one product, with lower costs, improved aesthetics, easier installation and long-lasting performance."
In conjunction with the announcement, Reuters reported that the CIGS cells used by Dow "operate at higher than 10 percent efficiency, below the efficiencies for the top polysilicon cells -- but would cost 10 to 15 percent less on a per watt basis." This, in turn, should make the Solar Shingle about 30-40% cheaper than other BIPV systems.

Photo credits: Dow Chemical Company.

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Fund Created To Help Deputy's Family

jessecsmithjr@gmail.com (Jesse C Smith Jr) — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 09:00:00 +0000

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Fund Created To Help Deputy's Family

via Click2Houston.com - Local News on 10/5/09

Detectives search for a hit-and-run driver who killed a deputy while fellow officers work to help his wife and children, KPRC Local 2 reports.

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Google PowerMeter's first device partner

jessecsmithjr@gmail.com (Jesse C Smith Jr) — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 08:58:00 +0000

Sent to you by Jesse C Smith Jr via Google Reader:

Google PowerMeter's first device partner

via The Official Google Blog by A Googler on 10/5/09

Today, we're very excited to announce we have secured our first official device partner. (That means having a smart meter installed by your utility is no longer a prerequisite for using Google PowerMeter!) For the last several months, a few hundred Google employees have been testing a number of in-home electricity monitoring devices. Those of us lucky enough to have one of these devices installed in our homes experienced first-hand how access to high-resolution energy use information drives meaningful behavior change (PDF). So we set out to make that data easier for everyone to access and understand by sending the collected data to our Google PowerMeter software.

The TED 5000 from Energy Inc. is an energy monitor that measures electricity usage in real-time (TED stands for "The Energy Detective"). As of today, we're pleased to announce that anyone in North America can purchase and install the TED 5000 and see personal home energy data using our free software tool, Google PowerMeter, from anywhere you can access the web including through iGoogle for mobile phones. (If you already have a TED 5000, you can download a free firmware upgrade to enable this functionality.)

Combined with Google PowerMeter, the TED 5000 device can help you understand your electricity usage to save energy and money. Energy Inc. is just our first device partner and if you are working for a company that manufactures energy monitors, we'd like to hear from you. Stay tuned for more!

Posted by Tom Sly, New Business Development & Charles Spirakis, Software Engineer

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FBI Investigating Whether Perry Site Was Hacked

jessecsmithjr@gmail.com (Jesse C Smith Jr) — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 08:55:00 +0000

Sent to you by Jesse C Smith Jr via Google Reader:

FBI Investigating Whether Perry Site Was Hacked

via Austinist by Jeff Beckham on 10/5/09

Bonzo McGrue

The FBI has opened an inquiry into Gov. Rick Perry's claims that his campaign website was hacked last week during a re-election announcement, according to the Associated Press.
On Tuesday, Perry planned to stream a webcast of his announcement from San Antonio. Instead, many users got a message saying "unable to connect to database server". At the time, campaign spokesman Mark Miner called it a denial-of-service attack.
FBI spokesman Erik Vasys told the AP that "The FBI confirms that it is conducting a preliminary inquiry into the possibility that an intentional intrusion was conducted on the governor's computer from out of state. The FBI considers this a hacking event with unknown origin at this time."

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Mahindra Tractors Offers Industry's Best 5-Year Warranty Program

jessecsmithjr@gmail.com (Jesse C Smith Jr) — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 08:39:00 +0000

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Mahindra Tractors Offers Industry's Best 5-Year Warranty Program

via Tomball News on 10/2/09

Mahindra USA, a leader in the compact and utility tractor market, is pleased to announce the release of their new "Best in Class" 5-year limited warranty program effective October 1, 2009.

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Green Building : Jetson Green: Container Design

jessecsmithjr@gmail.com (Jesse C Smith Jr) — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 04:43:00 +0000

Green Building : Jetson Green: Container Design

Shared via AddThis

BACK YARD FLOWERS

jessecsmithjr@gmail.com (Jesse C Smith Jr) — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 06:54:00 +0000

BACK YARD FLOWERS
Originally uploaded by Jesse C Smith Jr

These are spreading along Boudreaux Road.

COLD FRONT COMING IN

jessecsmithjr@gmail.com (Jesse C Smith Jr) — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 06:48:00 +0000

COLD FRONT COMING IN
Originally uploaded by Jesse C Smith Jr

Boudreaux Road

PARKWAY BODY SHOP FLOWER

jessecsmithjr@gmail.com (Jesse C Smith Jr) — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 01:56:00 +0000

BODY SHOP FLOWER
Originally uploaded by Jesse C Smith Jr

Couldn't help take this as I waited.

BanditTracker.com

jessecsmithjr@gmail.com (Jesse C Smith Jr) — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 13:12:00 +0000

BanditTracker.com

Takeover robbery - Fort Worth

Posted: 15 Sep 2009 09:31 AM PDT

Date:	2009-09-12
Location:	Bank of America
Address:	4751 South Hulen Street
City:	Fort Worth
State:	TX
Zip:	76132
Race:	Hispanic
Sex:	Male
Height:	4’ 11" to 5’ 0"
Description:	white hat with multicolored images on it, white button up, short sleeve shirt over thermal underwear, black pants, white gloves, red bandanna, black shoes
Narrative:	The robbers parked a green Ford Explorer outside the entrance to the bank. Both entered the lobby. One robber held a gun on the customers/employees while the other jumped the counter and robbed the tellers. Both robbers fled with the money but abandoned it when an explosive dye pack activated. The robbers may have had red dye on their clothing after the robbery.
Contact:	Dective Michael Baggott/FBI Safe Streets Task Force/817.989.3330
Weapon Shown:	Yes
Weapons:	small, black, semi-automatic handgun

Snake with face on its head

jessecsmithjr@gmail.com (Jesse C Smith Jr) — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 13:00:00 +0000

Snake with face on its head
Originally uploaded by Jesse C Smith Jr

My cat found this baby snake. It is a Texas Rat Snake. Clint the snake man www.texassnakes.nets Said: This is a nonvenomous Texas rat snake, just as you suspected. The juvenile rat snake has marking on the head that change as it matures. Who does the face look like to you?

Benefit for Earl Gilliam @ The Big Easy 5731 Kirby Houston 10/4/09

jessecsmithjr@gmail.com (Jesse C Smith Jr) — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 00:11:00 +0000

Benefit for Earl Gilliam Tomball Resident

0/4/2009 2:00 PM at BLUES BENEFIT FOR EARL & CARRIE JEAN @ The Big Easy
5731 Kirby, Houston, Texas 77005
Cost: $5 An extraordinary line-up of local Blues legends and friends to benefit Earl and Carrie Jean, including Texas Johnny Brown, Trudy Lynn and I.J. Gosey. The music starts at 2pm and goes ’til 7pm. Fantastic raffle items, BBQ, good times! Come on down!Earl Gilliam Legendary Blues Musician

Lauded as the "best Blues organist alive”, 79-year old Texas Bluesman Earl Gilliam has been smokin’ the house with his original Gulf Coast Blues sound for the past 60 years. A living legend of Houston's vital and historic Blues scene of the 40's and 50's, Earl has played both out front with his own band and as a sideman with some of the best, including: Sam Lightnin' Hopkins, Clarence Gatemouth Brown, Albert Collins, Johnny Clyde Copeland, Joe Guitar Hughes, T-Bone Walker, Little Joe Washington and - in the really early days - with Goree Carter, Big Joe Turner, Grady Gaines, Nappy Brown, Roy Brown, Jerry Butler, Percy Mayfield, Hop Wilson, Lester Williams and many others. And then there were the ladies: Earl has graced the stage with such luminous Blueswomen as Big Mama Thornton, Luvenia Lewis, Lavelle White and Miss Trudy Lynn.

In 1955, Earl was invited to record his own music with Lucian Davis on Sarg Records, Willie Nelson and Doug Sahm’s first label. There were only two Black artists on that label – Earl and saxophonist O.S. Grant. He also recorded on Ivory Lee Semien’s historic label Ivory Records. Earl wrote and recorded what today are considered classic Blues tunes: “Wrong Doin’ Woman”, “Don’t Make Me Late Baby”, “Nobody’s Blues”, “Just You and I”, “Petite Baby” and more.

Earl is a well-respected band leader who held forth at such historic Houston Blues haunts as The Hamilton Inn, Shady's Playhouse and the Club Matinee's famed monthly talent shows – which blew in such young promising talent as Little Richard and Bobby Blue Bland. Earl was one of very few musicians who could play with Lightnin' Hopkins because of Hopkins' unique sense of timing. In the 60's and 70's, they occasionally played as a duo in the region. Earl not only plays a mean organ and piano, but he also squeezed on a 50 lb. accordion in Clifton Chenier's band. If you talk to Earl long enough and over a period of time, he'll drop some of the best authentic regional Blues history on you. He's the real deal!

These days, Earl tours on occasion and plays regularly close to home. His favorite gigs are at the Houston blues joint The Big Easy Social and Pleasure Club.