Welcome to Dish-Houston.com! DISH Served up H-Town Style!!
Entries by DISHhouston (1315)
Star of Hope needs some Hope
Star of Hope President and CEO, Hank Rush, has announced that the homeless mission’s downtown Women and Family Emergency Shelter at 419 Dowling, has reached a record overflow. “During this last week, each night we have averaged about 100 women and children waiting for beds. This is unprecedented,” he said. The shelter has been at its 256 person capacity, with a waiting list, for two years. “We always experience extra people in the summer – but this year because of the extreme heat and the economy – we’re seeing more children, more families and lots of new faces.” said Rush. The homeless women and children on the waiting list spend the night on a pallet inside the shelter, out of the heat and asleep in the atrium area. The Men’s Center has been at or near its 300 person capacity every night this year.
The record numbers and weak economy have created a major challenge for the homeless mission. “More people mean more food, more utilities and extra staff. Our donations have dropped considerably. Currently, we’re experiencing about a $700,000 short fall. Soon we won’t be able to deal with the overflow and we’ll have to cut programs and turn people away …we hope we don’t get to that point,” Rush said. The Star of Hope chief is optimistic. “It’s been my experience that Houston is one of the most generous cities in the country. But it’s a historic fact – when the temperature goes up, the donations go down. We need the city to open its “summer heart” and help us help their neighbors in crisis.” said Rush.
Houstonians are encouraged to donate cash, canned, non-perishable food, gently used clothing and even volunteer hours. Specific immediate needs include towels, blankets, diapers, water and toiletries. Star of Hope’s Summer of Hope campaign boast a new “giving” feature- texting. It’s now possible to donate $10 to Star of Hope by safely texting “SOH” to 20222. For more information on “ways to give”, visit sohmission.org.
DISHhouston
in Dish, Dish-houston, dishhouston, donate, economy, help, homeless, houston, star of hope
|
Post a Comment
Safe Planet Viewing
Grab your chairs and blankets, grab your reusable water bottles and head over to the Gallery M Squared of the Historic Houston Heights Theater at 339 West 19th St, Houston Heights, TX 77008
Beginning at 6:30 this evening...
SAFE PLANET which is a United Nations Campaign
This is the FIRST Safe Planet Campaign community in the world and you get to be a part of it!
BE A PART OF HISTORY IN THE MAKING- this is the start of something BIG for the Greater Houston Area!
(and we like BIG in TEXAS).
Come to learn about the new Campaign and hear from Michael Stanley-Jones on the importance of this social movement and the responsible management of hazardous wastes and chemicals. There will also be a short film "Safe Planet Presents: Body Burden" starring Ed Begley Jr. to start off the evening.
Mr. Stanley-Jones is coming all the way from Geneva, Switzerland to be with us!
Click HERE to see the trailer.
The film that will be shown after is Stefan Jarl's "Submission: In defense of the unborn".
This will be the FIRST TIME the documentary film has been shown in America aside from the sneak preview held during the 18th session of the UN Commission on Sustainable Development in New York City.
Parking is neighborhood parking so please arrive early to secure street parking.
PLEASE BRING BLANKETS, PILLOWS, CHAIRS- no seats provided at the venue.
FOOD/DRINK- NONE- please eat beforehand, however you are welcome to bring water to drink in a reusable closed container. (please no bottled water)
SUGGESTED DONATION OF $10. If you would be interested in supporting this Campaign through company/program partnership, underwriting, sponsorships, funds, gifts in kind- please email SPCampaign@live.com
RSVP to secure a place at this historic event. Don't be left out- be a part of the dialogue.
RSVP by sending an email to: spcampaign@live.com
COMMUNITY PARTNER: Houston Green Scene
VOLUNTEERS: Planeta Verde Now, Air Alliance Houston, Green Marinas
See you tonight DISHIES!
DISHhouston
in Dish, Dish-houston, dishhouston, houston, houston green scene, m squared gallery, safe planet
|
Post a Comment
Could Katz's Klose?
Katz's Deli is such an iconic spot that when CNBC did a story last week about Texas being one of the best places to do business, they broadcast live from Katz’s Deli on 6th street. CNBC possibly chose the wrong location considering they parent company M&M Katz Inc filed for Chapter 11 protection July 20th.
Despite the filing, owner Marc Katz said the deli’s motto — “Katz’s Never Kloses” — will remain true, albeit probably not at the 618 W. Sixth St. location has called home since 1979.
Katz’s Deli was founded when the then-33-year-old New Yorker had “more hair and a lot less belly,” moved his family down to Texas and with a loan from his ex-wife's mother was able to achieve his dream of serving New York-style deli classics and traditional Jewish kosher-style cuisine.
Most around the state know Katz as the man who would do anything for free publicity including running for Mayor of Austin and most recently, Lieutenant Governor of Texas. He said the bankruptcy is not related to the failed campaign attempt. Instead, he said rent is too expensive and his landlord has threatened to evict him, after Katz sold him the building during hardship and leased space back.
In 2006, Katz said he leased back the deli space and nearby parking for the next 20 years, after selling three downtown properties for $4.4 million. Current court records show he is paying $22,478 a month in rent, or $269,000 per year.
Katz said agreeing to his lease terms was his “biggest mistake,” but also said he was “asleep at the wheel” and did not respond to rising costs and declining economic conditions quickly enough.
Also according to court records, Katz’s Deli owes $121,900 in federal, state and county taxes. The company owes about 14 vendors about $30,000 and owes more than 55 past and present employees about $26,000. The company has annual revenue of about $2.7 million, based on court records that said monthly revenue is $225,900.
Katz said he is looking at several new locations, but did not disclose what parts of town they are in, although he hinted at leaving downtown.
“All options are open. I’ve been looking north and south,” he said.
Katz said he never recovered financially after choosing to enter into a law suit with his son, Barry, who owns and operates delis in Houston, including a Katz's Deli on 616 Westheimer St. and Kattz's Express in The Woodlands. Records show the elder Katz sued his son and the younger Katz decided to separate entirely. The Austin store went to the Marc Katz and Barry built Houston.
This is not the first time Marc Katz has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. In 2004, with about $6 million in debt and as many as 99 creditors, including the IRS, lender Amresco Commercial FinanceLLC, Dallas-based law firm Hughes and Luce LLP, and Katz’s son. A restructuring plan for the bankruptcy was approved in 2005.
Today, the cost of doing business, including insurance and taxes, is rising, and “in hard times you have to cut back, and I didn’t do it fast enough,” Katz said.
DISH spoke with Barry Katz this morning and he had this to say.
"I am sorry to hear about the financial difficulties with the current location in Austin. I hope my Dad finds another location or gets his rent lowered. I am glad he is determined to keep the Austin Katz's from Klosing, this is an Austin institution. This has no impact on my Houston or Woodlands area locations, we have run our businesses separately for about 8 years."
DISHhouston
in 6th street, Dish, Dish-houston, austin, bankruptcy, barry katz, dishhouston, houston, katz's deli, marc katz, the woodlands
|
Post a Comment
Bayou Tours Suspended Thanks to Arson
Help Steer Us in the Right Direction...
Due to a serious arson incident, Buffalo Bayou Partnership will be suspending pontoon boat tours until The Osprey can be replaced.
On Tuesday, July 6th at 2:00 am, the Houston Fire Department responded to a fire at BBP's Drennan Field Office. Two boats were impacted by the fire: The Osprey, our pontoon tour boat, was destroyed and the Bio-Vac, a boat used to clean trash and debris from the bayou, was damaged. Because the pontoon boat is an integral bayou educational tool, as well as a much-needed revenue source for Buffalo Bayou Partnership's operating budget, the organization hopes to replace the vessel as soon as possible. While The Osprey was ins! ured, fu nds are needed to help cover the cost of the deductible, loss of income, and the new boat cost variance.
Many of our bayou friends have toured Buffalo Bayou on The Osprey in the past year. Each month hundreds of Houstonians and visitors enjoy history, bat, and private tours along Houston's historic waterway and most significant natural resource.
As little as $10 will help replace The Osprey.
We are deeply saddened by this loss and we appreciate your support and patience while we work to overcome this unfortunate setback.
DONATE ONLINE - Please note "The Osprey Fund" in the comment box.
or
BY MAIL:
Buffalo Bayou Partnership
ATTN: The Osprey Fund
1113 Vine Street, Suite 200
Houston, Texas 77002
DONATE NOW TO REPLACE THE OSPREY
THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR SUPPORT!
Buffalo Bayou Partnership is the non-profit organization revitalizing and transforming Buffalo Bayou, Houston's most significant natural resource.
www.buffalobayou.org
www.facebook/buffalobayou
DISHhouston
in Dish, Dish-houston, arson, buffalo bayou partnership, dishhouston, houston, the osprey
|
Post a Comment
Hot Bodies and Money
Want a bikini body and to make $100 while getting it???
CLICK HERE!! DISH is doing it! See you there!!
DISHhouston
in Dish, Dish-houston, bikini body, dishhouston, fitness, houston, money, training camp, workout
|
Post a Comment
