Red Swing Project - Part 2

I first posted about The Red Swing Project HERE. This one is located on the campus of the University of Houston near the Moores School of Music.

Jack Yates

Jack Yates was a former slave, pastor and educator that developed the hopes of African Americans in post-emancipation Houston, helping form this area into what it is today. Yates was the first pastor of the Antioch Baptist Church in 1868, and also organized Bethel Baptist Church in 1890. Not only did he insist his congregation educate themselves, he led by example in lobbying for the opening of Bishop College, the first black Baptist College in Texas. His family cemetery plot, as seen here, is located in the nearby College Memorial Park Cemetery.

Plaaaaaaaay Ball

There’s nothing like going to see the local Major League Baseball team, the Astros, play in April. Mainly because the weather permits and the retractable roof is open, allowing the game to be played as it was intended: OUTSIDE. With Minute Maid Park’s downtown location, it also gives a great glimpse of the skyline as the sun sets. …AND with the team not predicted to finish very well in the standings, the attendance won’t be as great, making parking that much easier for those of us that still attend!! Welcome back, baseball.

James A. Baker

This unique point of view from the James A. Baker Monument in Sesquicentennial Park shows how his statue is actually looking over Buffalo Bayou at a similar statue of his friend, former President George H.W. Bush. If you look reeeeeeeally hard, you can see him on the knoll on the opposite bank. A native Houstonian, James Baker served senior government positions under three presidents which included Bush’s Secretary of State and Ronald Reagan’s Chief of Staff.

A Little Face Lift Never Hurt Anyone

When it was originally built in 1973, the CenterPoint Energy Plaza building was just another black glassed box lost within the growing skyline of Houston’s oil boom. Then… in 1996, the powers that be made a decision that transformed it into an architectural landmark. By adding the six-storied “cap” you see now in this photo, it is now easily recognized from almost every skyline vantage point. Good call,as I always enjoy buildings that think out of the box.

Mazed and Confused…

Constructed in 2006 on the campus of the University of St. Thomas, the Gueymard Meditation Garden contains this replica of the labyrinth at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Chartres located just southwest of Paris, France.

No Eve...

Located within the Cullen Sculpture Garden is French sculptor, Emile-Anotoine Bourdelle’s “Adam”.

Up Close

I mentioned yesterday about the individually carved Italian marble pieces that make up the mandir. This is a close-up of its intricateness. Simply amazing.

Houston's Hidden Beauty

This… is one of the hidden beauties of our area, and I doubt most citizens even realize it exists. The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Temple was the first traditional mandir of stone and marble constructed in the entire country. Completed in 2004 without the use of iron or steel, the mandir is constructed of over 33,000 individual pieces of Italian marble and limestone from Turkey. These marked pieces were initially shipped to India where they were hand carved with traditional Vendic deities and motifs, and then shipped to Houston and assembled like a huge puzzle. Without a doubt, this is one of the more breathtaking local places that I have visited.

Only 65 More Years...

Not that I’m counting… Or for that matter still be around, but this is marker for a time capsule placed in downtown’s Sam Houston Park in honor of the country’s Bicentennial. Oddly, I haven’t been able to dig up much info on this particular time capsule. Good thing it’s in such a public place or it very well might be forgotten.

Not What It May Appear

Simply… all this is a capture of the pedestrian bridge that traverses over Loop 610 at the Gulfgate Mall. Now… YEARS ago, I would take this bridge across, as the mall’s theater (since demolished) was located on the other side. Ah… childhood memories.

Mirror, mirror... is that a wall?

Today’s reflection is brought to you by the Alfred C. Glassell School of Fine Art. Part of the Museum of Fine Art - Houston, it’s exterior mirrored glass blocked wall is quite the eye catcher as one walks or drives by.

Feeling a Bit Blue...

Well… bluebonnets that is. This wildflower is actually the state flower of Texas, and usually blooms profusely across all parts of the state this time of year. I am fortunate enough that my urban bike route (remember… I’m training for a big cycle ride) was one of the beneficiaries of a local initiative to seed wide flowers within our city limits.

The White Oak Bayou Hike & Bike Trail is COVERED with wildflowers now, and really makes training a bit more tolerable.

Art Bikes

I’ve discussed how popular Art Cars are here in THIS previous post. So much so… that the phenomenon has evolved to include Art Bikes. These decorated bikes are on display in Discovery Green bringing attention towards the fight against Multiple Sclerosis. Why bikes?? Well… let me explain. The fight against this disabling disease will reach its peak in a few short days. On April 17 & 18 over 13,000 cyclists (including myself) will ride over 180 miles in two days as we ride from Houston to Austin raising funds and awareness as we participate in this year’s BP MS-150.

April Theme Day – Edges

This month’s City Daily Photo Community theme is “Edges”. No… this isn’t the bow of a cruise ship, but rather an interesting perspective of The Hobby Center for Performing Arts, which is the relatively new (opening in 2002) venue for Broadway type musicals and productions. Click here to view thumbnails for all participants