Believing the Lie: Elizabeth George

Finished reading the latest addititon to the Inspector Lynley series from Elizabeth George. 
Hoping for the best, withholding judgement 'til the end, crossing my fingers:
 Believing the Lie continues the backward slide into mediocrity of this collection. 

George "killed her darling" with the death of Helen, Inspector Lynley's wife.
In response to the outrage of fans to the predestined demise of Helen, George's next book,
 What Came Before He Shot Her, lays down the challenge that she can make these same fans come to
care about Helen's murderer.  That non-formulamatic story of a young blood and his patchwork family in gritty London delivered on that goal.  This is George's best work.  And not a Lynley or a Bentley in sight.

Careless in Red: a decent run at showing Lynley coming out of extreme grief.  The setting was worth the read.  There's a scene in this one with Havers, eating, showing her chipped tooth, that I still retain.

This Body of Death :  Great title: While the Characters have different bodies, both living and dead, from previous books, and this is a new setting,  all of them are insanely familiar. 
Same internal workings as former characters in earlier books.
 Maybe that's a theme, but they all seem to be revisits from previous stories.   Can't say, but I was bored.   The forest and ponies should have been used to a bigger advantage . Finished it anyway, out of loyalty
and respect for my own time.

Believing the lie:  Finished it, and congratulated myself for it.
From the author, perhaps: a question:  Can I write a good detective story where the question is
"Did a murder actually happen?"  I say she can, and she did.  I was happy that the novel was lengthy,
just not satisfied with the depth of any of the overly numerous plots and subplots.
  Why bring up the Pele Project with its
concept of rehab for long term aged addicts and go nowhere with it?
 Yet, have the main puzzle revolve around marital and sexual woes, oft visited, oft dissected, and bringing nothing new.
This was almost a bodice ripper romance novel. 
Thankfully, we get a hint that Barbara and the University professor will be back in the next issue\
and at center stage.

What George does best, the painting and spinning of Barbara Havers, she does so infrequently that it's only a tease.  Probably delights her, as an author, but to this reader, it's frustrating.
Thankfully, there are PBS reruns, and thanks to them for taking the Havers character and running with it,
although in an entirely different direction.
Ms George:  Elizabeth Ardery? Really?   Snooze button.

My least favorite book of the series:  for sake of Elena,
My favorite:  What Came before He shot her:   which made me stand up and cheer for the author when I finished it and slammed it shut, in exhaustion and exultation of great concept, great writing, great pushing oneself and one's audience. bravo.

Dana J

Neighborhood Watch - East End TireShop

Mendoza tire shop is a de facto security force for its stretch of Harrisburg Road, just south of Eastwood Park.

Night and day, in the shade, in the shadows, men with beer bottles and stories sit on molded plastic chairs and watch over the neighborhood, and change a few tires.

Across the side street, the front of Lenox Bar-B-Que was demolished by the jaws of Metro to make room for the light rail.

There's a "Say No to Metro" sign posted on the front of Mendoza garage, and so far, it's still standing.

What do we know for sure about Mendoza?
Pride in his work, certainly.....he put his name and face right out front.
Special care for his customers, maybe?......something about that painted expression.

Update: Forged Steel Bracket for Light Fixture

Update on the forged bracket for a light fixture: only minor changes are requested.  Good direction from the client/designer:
1. Make the big, thick collar wrap completely over the strut.
2. Add a  ring and collar decoration on the stem that holds the wiring.
3. Give us a couple more places for screws to attach to walls.

So, the job is on the table, and we've started fabrication on (4) of these brackets.

It starts with a chalk drawing on the work table.

Next, cutting out all measured pieces.

Then, some rolling -  no need for heat this time.
All cold forged.  We don't use much motorized equipment.  Mainly muscle and finesse. This is a photo of a jig we've built for the project, and that's Luis using a "greefa" (Spanglish) or counterweight to make the roll.

Planning is key....all pieces are measured, cut and labeled.  It's not Ford Motor Company, but it is an assembly line of sorts.

We had a big week preparing new quotes for projects.Maybe things are picking up.  For us, it's a luxury to present a design, have it reviewed immediately, get the deposit and be released within a week, and be able to jump right on the project.  In years past, we wouldn't get started for another week, or two.  So, this feels healthy.

In other news, Chepo represented us at a trade show.  He made this forged iron entry table and used it to display his business cards and pamphlets.
If you click to enlarge the photo, the details will show. 
We'll probably use it at our house.
If so, the leaves gotta go.
Agreed?



original post about bracket for light fixture: see post dated Tues, May 18, 2010.

Pedaling that Ole Time Religion

Ducktaped to raspa man's canopy this season is a reminder that part of his proceeds go to the Templo Building fund in Uyiyeo, GTO.

We liked his soft-sell marketing approach.....and bought a sliced up mango in a bowl.  Maybe someone will light a candle for Taller Fence & Ironworks on Sunday.

So where is this Uyiyeo? Oops...those are "r's" and that spells Urireo, which is just outside of Salvatierra, south of San Miguel de Allende, and south of Celaya.

View Larger Map

Metal Moved like Butter

We're working on a sample of a Forged Iron Bracket to hold a lighting fixture.

The project started like this:













Cami the Interior Designer needs 4 brackets for lanterns that will hang in a circular stair well.  The wall is slanted inward.
Below is her original idea for a bracket.

We send her a sketch based on what we can fabricate and what we think will function.  The bracket must cover a j-box on the wall, and must allow for wiring to be threaded thru its strut, and must hold a hanging lantern.  Here's our 1st sketch (below)

Charming.  Cami loved the loop on the end.
But too long, won't fit.  The circle needs to be about 12" dia to have
any visual punch, and that would mean the arm would be almost 40" long.
Back to the drawing board.  Here's our next sketch below.



We remembered that the wall is slanted inward.  That needs to be accounted for in the design.  And the wiring issues.

Dana to Luis the foreman/fabricater:  Let's make it interesting from all angles.
As you're walking up the stairs, down the stairs, think about all lines of sight.

Luis to Dana J:  If she likes that loop so much, let's repeat it in the design.
And fatten it, and manipulate it like a strap of leather.  With thick, hand forged
ties.

Dana J to Luis:  How about a sample?
Here's our Sample photos.  Dropping it off to the Designer Lady today.
Wish us luck.

For Whom the Bell Tolls: Cage Elementary

When I saw the legal notice of sale in Saturday's Chronicle,  my first thought was,
"Who's running the insane asylum over at the real estate department of HISD?"
Followed by: 
"And are they so in love with "Build it and they will come" that they've forgotten their fundamentals, e.g. the second part of "Buy low and Sell High?"
It's not that the price is wrong.   Minimum bid is $335,000.
I was thinking "Now is wrong. Why now?"
Followed by:  "Why not about 5 years ago when developers were flush with other people's money?"
This school sits on a triangular 1 acre lot at the corner of Telephone Road and Baird, near Lockwood Drive. 

The new Cage Elementary was built over 25 years ago, so in the last 10 years HISD would have had plenty of opportunity to sell high.  

According to archives of the Eastwood Neigborhood Association,
HISD tried to solicit bids for Cage in December 2004.
I take back the Insane Asylum comment, ok?
Here's the Eastwood newsletter information about community protest and Cage Elementary.


So today, I checked HISD's website and did not find Cage on their list of properties for sale.
Strange, since the newspaper notice was from Saturday's paper.
Next, I used the interactive map on HISD's website and found it!
And, it's shown as SOLD to Historic Houston.org.  No sales price disclosed.
So why the notice in Saturday's paper?
According to Historic Houston's website they move historically significant buildings, and also dismantle them.
Yikes, I'm hoping the future of Cage Elementary is neither one of these.
I'm hoping residential, maybe SRO.  Anything except a gaming room, a pawn shop or a nail salon.
Here's one of  Cage's residential neighbor directly behind it on Baird Street.

In 1894 Rufus Cage donated the land on Telephone Road where the Kirby School was built in 1902.
In 1906 the school moved across the street into a new building which they named "Rufus Cage Elementary".

Don't worry, Rufus, the bell doesn't toll for you.  It's just that recess is over.
According to the legal notice, bids will be accepted (and then trashed?) until 2pm on June 15, 2010.

The Poet in the Taco Truck

The Palm tree, the hint of water and the word "Veracruz" might fool you to think there is a coastal connection waiting for you on the menu.

 Don't start slobbering for sopa marisco or shrimp tacos just now.  Taco Nazo is all about beef.  No shrimp, no chicken, no pork.  Just beef.

And we keep coming back.  Last night it was smoking.  That's the sign you ought to look for.  The smoke says: "Made right here!"

Husband/wife team run this dinner stop.  She takes the orders.  He alternates between flipping meat and wielding a knife, chopping out a staccato on a wooden board. 

I looked into the mexican definition of "nazo" for clues about the owners and their aspirations.

Online I found that it is slang for the heel of a boot.

But the guys at the shop say "it also refers to the mexican hat dance in which the male dancer repeatedly slams his heel on the floor."

So, is this man comparing the work of his knife on the cutting board with a dancer and his heels on the dancefloor? 

What a poet. 

But can he cook? 

Well, yeah.    

 

The cilantro/tomatilla salsa has zip.  The meat was tender, juicy....as expected.

Look for them at this intersection. 

 If you go, ask the beefy guy with knife why he calls it "Taco Nazo". Maybe he'll break out in song or something.

Candle Holders

Miscellaneous forgings from the shop for sale.

The Honeymoon and Bayou Bend Nature Park

A frazzled newlywed walks into a bar at a Hawaiian resort.
He straddles a bar stool alongside two other guys.
"Holy smoke, she's insatiable.  I can't get her to stop! Look at me, I'm a wreck."
The other two guys ask "How's that a problem?"
Newlywed answers: " I married a sweet young virgin, church-going, nice and old-fashioned.
We waited until our honeymoon here to have sex.
Now, she can't get enough!  I'm telling you, it's out of control.
She even wants me to...you know,  perform down there!"
"Dude, that ain't no problem!  You must make her feel "like a natural woman"..........
"No, there's nothing natural about it." He crys.
 "God is the ultimate City Planner, and I'm sure He'd Never put a
playground next to a sewage system!"
____________________________________________________________________________________

Following God's lead, East End park planners have done just that.







West of where the Wayside Drive bridge rises over Buffalo Bayou, the massive 69th Street Wastewater Treatment Complex churns about its daily business.

And looking east from this same bridge overpass, the Buffalo Bend Nature Park is coming to life. 


Buffalo Bend Nature Park planners envision that the high, double-directional bridge is a sufficient visual barrier to separate the natural from the necessary.

This park's overall plan is to keep things wild and wooly and bring back the wildlife.
Its banks are connected to Buffalo Bayou near the old Turning Basin with opportunities to revive recreational boat launches just upstream from Hidalgo Park.

This adventure is still on its honeymoon, with cosmic-sized plans for the future.
The hike and bike trail from downtown will continue on here.
I visited the site yesterday and there has been some construction, but little for my camera to capture.
I hope you'll visit this website: Buffalo Bayou Organization.

Remediation of this old industrial wasteland is part of a bigger scheme.
The website's photos, maps and drawings will lead you to a greater understanding of how it all fits together.

*joke paraphrased from a scene in the movie: "Forgetting Sarah Marshall".

Kevin Costner and Urban Development

Got a question for ya about this Headline from today's Chronicle, referencing the new, upcoming East End stadium and the expected
commercial revival it may bring.

Before the hit movie, "Field of Dreams", did Urban Planners have any other all-encompassing philosophical catch phrases?





If not for that movie and its overworked tag line, would anything
ever get built around here?

I'm so sick of "Build it and They Will Come".
It's beyond meaningless, it's shoeless.

A Poblano for Cinco de Mayo

Here's my friend, Augustin, former US illegal immigrant, in front of his shop in Puebla.


All 4 of his brothers from Puebla, and himself, illegally immigrated to Houston.
One ran the kitchen for Armando's for 2 decades.
One worked at the River Cafe on Montrose Blvd, (remember that one?) for about the same length of time.
One worked in maintenance for an apartment complex.
These 3 all gained amnesty during the Reagan administration, and went on to US Citizenship.

Somehow, Augustin didn't make the cut.
Maybe he couldn't prove his employment.
Ni modo.
As a busboy, lunch and dinner, 6 days a week,
he put his oldest daughter through
Mexican universidad,
then medical school
and she is a doctor,
practicing medicine in Chiapas, for 15 years now.


Agustin is back in Puebla, now.
His wife suffers 
from Empty Nest Syndrome.
She runs marathons, He runs the shoe repair store.
Their townhome, in colonia Amalucum, (google it!) is about 45 minutes from the grand Zocolo of colonial Puebla. 

Augustin told me a funny story about his days working in a factory in Izucar de Matamoros.  That's a town in the "hot lands", south and west of Puebla.  He worked there through the week, only coming home by bus on the weekends.  One time the bus barreled down into a steep and rocky ravine.
People died on site.  Augustin lived.
The bus company put survivors on a different bus, to take them home.  That 2nd bus had a serious traffic accident in Puebla.
Buses freak him out, now.  He prefers his bicycle.
.

He used to have a saying that I could never quite figure out.
If I asked him a question, and he wanted to say "Never" in no uncertain terms, he would respond "Nieve, Nieve de Limon, Nieve!"

"What? I don't get it"

Well, to his ear, when Americanos  say "Never", it sounds just like the raspa salesman chanting his sales pitch for the Lime flavored ice, in the streets of good ole Puebla.
Nieve de Limon, Nieve de Zapote, Nieve de Nuez.
Limon ice, made with fresh squeezed juice.

And when I strolled the Puebla Zocolo, and first heard that wail from the ice man.....ooh, shivers! and memories of conversations and stories shared with my friend, Agustin, from Puebla, Puebla.

It Ain't Over 'til It's Under

The future East End light rail line running from Downtown Houston to the Magnolia Bus Terminal on Harrisburg  will encounter Railroad Tracks near 65th Street.  This Railroad Crossing has always disrupted traffic flow and been a bit of a nuisance for residents and retail.
Local East End Advocates saw the light rail construction has an opportunity to push for an above-grade crossing of traffic at these tracks, with light and freight rail continuing unimpeded below grade.
They had banners hanging on business storefronts along Harrisburg that read:
It Ain't Over 'til It's Under.

I was caught at this railroad crossing earlier this week and forced to cool my jets for 20 minutes.
Made me wonder what became of the Crossing Design Issue, as there appeared no new physical development at the site.
Today I searched the web for updates, and now Metro has a bid request that was sent out around March 1, 2010, calling for qualifications and proposals from Engineers regarding design of this over- the- grade crossing.
Elsewhere on the web was news from 2008, that Metro, the City and a Train Traffic District were in agreement that the above grade crossing is necessary and viable.
News to me.
How about  updated banners along Harrisburg...."It's Over, and It's Coming Your Way".
Something like that.

The photos above were taken in Pearland, off of Mykawa Road and Main Streets, about 15 miles from Houston's East End.
Pearland already has a couple of above grade bridges, that span over railroad tracks.
Note the tracks in photo on right.
This bridge, under construction, is similar to what we might expect at Harrisburg and 65th Streets.

Travel Warnings Can be a Blessing

Travel Warnings and State Department Advisories can mean falling prices for Vacationing Travelers.

this information lifted from the New York Times, for your review.

"For many travelers, though, one question may trump all others: In the wake of a disaster, is it safe to go at all?
Often, the answer is yes — as long as you know where the troubles are and how to avoid them. That was the lesson learned by Tim Leffel, who flew to Indonesia with his wife, Donna, in the summer of 1998 just when  the country’s longtime strongman leader, Suharto, had been overthrown.
“Jakarta was dicey—riots and fires—but we got out of there, we didn’t stick around,” said Mr. Leffel, who now runs the Cheapest Destinations Blog, about budget travel. Instead, they headed for Bunaken Island, a scuba-diving getaway more than 1,300 miles from the capital. “We got this big waterfront bungalow, and it was less than $4 a day for two of us with all three meals included. It was unbelievable. We stayed there for a week and just chowed down.”
Last summer, he employed a similar strategy on a trip to Mexico at a time when the H1N1 virus and drug-related violence were scaring off tourists. But instead of visiting Mexico City (center of the flu pandemic) or Ciudad Ju árez (center of the drug wars), he went to Guanajuato, San Miguel de Allende and the Mayan Riviera, where he said he got deals at hotels “just by asking.”

A Travel Warning from Mexico

from today's Houston Chronicle:  MEXICO CITY — Mexico’s government is warning its citizens about travel to Arizona because of a tough new immigration law there.
The travel alert from the Foreign Relations Department urges Mexicans in Arizona to “act with prudence and respect the framework of local laws.” It says that the law’s passage shows “an adverse political atmosphere for migrant communities and for all Mexican visitors.” It says that once the law takes effect, foreigners can be detained if they fail to carry immigration documents. While enforcement details are not yet clear, the alert says “it should be assumed that any Mexican citizen could be bothered and questioned for no other reason at any moment.” 

I realize this is not groundbreaking news.  I hope the citizens of Mexico realize this also.
When I travel to Mexico, I always act with prudence and respect the framework of the local laws.
If I don't carry my immigration documents, I expect that I will be detained.
I have been questioned by police for no apparent reason, and I did not mind, (much).

Torta Marta - Sunday Driving in the East End

I love every little thing about this big Mama. 
She's working that decolletage.
The red nails...with nary a chip.
The detail of the apron.
The hair style channeling a Polynesian influence.
And her expression: ambiguous & priceless.
I'm certain that attitude has served me tacos, sometime, somewhere.

It's All Good

A local business helps beautify the streetscape by fabricating a decorative
seat at the bus stop.  This found near the intersection of Navigation and York.

Funky, yes.  Handmade, good neighborly, and helpful, all.
But classy?
Might that be a Visual oxymoron?

East End Scenes

Making my way, (never a direct path, that.)  toward breakfast tacos at La Reynera Bakery on McKinney.
Great little bakery housed in a bright yellow and red Art Deco remnant, and inside, alongside cuernitos de queso, and magdalenas, and bolillos, is a small, fast, clean taco operation that puts out the goods.
This morning, a little ole guy was standing in the corner on a upturned plastic bucket, feeding tortilla dough into a hopper, while the owner/operator watched as the flour tortillas baked then slid into his pan.
Usually these machines are in larger grocery stores, but here's a small one, cranking out the tortillas and if I hadn't seen the machine, I would have guessed they were hand rolled.  Light, with a little bit of chewy texture, and dotted with burn spots.
It's the stuff he puts inside, heaped up, that's the main attraction.  Where else can you get a asado de puerco taco at 8 am?  Or stewed beef in a spicy tomato sauce for breakfast?
And huevos were fluffy and the potatoes were crispy in the papa con huevo mix.  Shows a nice attention to detail I thought. 
Tacos go for $1.75 each.  You won't need more than 2.   Even you.

On the way back to the shop, I'm meandering, trying to stay in love with my End of town.
I took these pictures of a vacant lot at Rusk and Eddington for no particular reason.
Like Obama and Mars exploration, I'm wondering if I'll see the complete revival of this area in my life time.
Everywhere I look, good bones, so much promise, an obvious lack of income.













But a bright note:  at the end of Rusk, near Dumble.  A freshly remodeled wooden sided bungalow.
Mint green with light lemon trim around the windows and along the roofline
reminded me of the icing on birthday cakes from mom.
Remembered that touch of mint flavoring she put into the frosting, just a drop,
so delicate, fresh.
This bungalow was fresh.  And the owner has lovingly accomadated the splayed
low-hanging branches of the old live oak out front
by notching places in his wooden fence instead of cutting the limbs. 
I didn't take a photo.  Didn't want to creep them out.  Want them to stick around, and keep painting things.

The Hours

Library Hours are being curtailed all around the Houston area.
Budget cuts.

The Chron's editorial page blew up with comments.
Most referred to the recent financing that's being secured for a new
soccer stadium in the East End, near Polk and Downing streets.  Most wanted an explanation of why the City puts more value on bouncing balls over that of books.

One thing that I would miss if I moved to San Miguel de Allende in Mexico....the Houston Public Library.  Where I can order books at my computer and browse the entire system, and in a day or two at most, pick them up at my nearest branch.  Archives and current best sellers....it's all here at my fingertips.


This week I'm reading "Answered Prayers" the unfinished novel by Truman Capote.
It's kinda bleak and perverted.
Starting to see why he didn't finish it.......not sure I can.

The painting is shown above is "Detroit Library - Abandoned"
by Stephen Magsig, who brings us the Daily Postcard from Detroit.
subscribe to his daily postcard painting via your email.

Funny Walk

continuing the theme of  "What's Outside My Truck's Window":














Looping around the bayou trail at Mason Park, I see a crook-necked egret on the far bank.
It's at water's edge and starts to walk.
The jerky movement fascinates.
Neck is thrust forward, punching the air ahead, while the body dips and leans and follows.
Weaving and careening.....can it cover ground in that way?

I think: "Maybe it's wounded or has a broken back or wing?"


But it seems okay, and it is moving forward along the bank.
I guess that's just how a crane walks.  Very awkward.

So I finish my own walk and climb into truck.
Sitting at an intersection, I'm stuck in a slow-cycling left hand turn lane.
Plenty of time to look around.
Ahh, the lone pedestrian on these Houston streets; a woman, dark haired, fair skinned,
with a wispy skirt and awkward walk.
Every few steps, a twisting dip, all but stumbling out her shoes. 
"Maybe she's wounded, or has a broken hip?" I say to myself.
She reminds me of that egret, back at the park.

A man arrives at her side.  A car rolls slowly by and engages her.
Oh, now I see.  The rooms-by-the-hour motel comes into view.
Now I'm getting the picture.

Still, it's one pathetic movie...that dip and sway that I misread as
a sign of a broken limb
was actually the young lady's attempt at street sexy.  Pathetic.
Not insulting "pathetic" but sad, pained "pathetic".
But what do I know? My own forward motion has been questionable.

"No Wonder He's Still Lost"

Life in this Mex-Tex neighborhood.

2 nights ago....on the way home from work.

Chepo and I are sitting in our Cummings Turbo Diesel at a traffic light near 75th and Lawndale, an area of cell phone stores, pawn shops, taco stands, tire shops, garage apartments and single story homes.





We each are looking outward and reading the signs of spring.
Posted on a nearby telephone pole, is a plea for help:
"Find My Dog!"
From the photo on the flyer,it looks like some sort of  pit bull type with lots of bling on his collar.


 Craning my neck across Chepo, I try to read the dog's name.
"Char-i-as-ma?  Is that spanish for something, Chepo?"
"Don't ask me....."
"Charisma, maybe?  But misspelled?  But that couldn't be, could it?"  "Would You name That dog "Charisma"?

Silence for a couple of seconds while we gaze at the poster, the dog's photo and wait for the light to change.

And then, as we're pulling off and onward, Chepo barks out:
"No wonder he's still lost; when they go out looking for him, no one knows what to call him!"

Aw yes, the guy who brought me "We're skillet people" strikes again.      Chepo & Skillet People

Paint this Neighborhood

The San Miguel Expat blogs that I read have each commented on the delight of spring.  Like its arrival was unexpected.  Like its freshness is something new, unusual.  Winter is followed by spring each year.  Each year it catches us off guard.

So it is here in the East End of Houston.  Saturday night was a spring fling from my front porch. 
Soft, breezy night with jagged cold edges, but no humidity.  Hybirnating teenagers stir and roll out the basketball goal into the street.  I love that smack of ball against pavement sound. 
The full moon bounces light along the alleys.  BarBQ and honeysuckle mix in the air. Rich relations clog the walkways and sidestreets and front yards with 20 yr old Suburbans.


This is not Norman Rockwell. 
This scene would best be painted by Maxfield Parrish, with backlit blues in the sky, goldenrod buds on shimmering tree forms and languid cats stretched out on bayou banks. 
Spring has come to the East End.  I sit on the front step, in the Mex/Tex world a watcher, a lurker.

Maxfield Parrish.....does that surprise you? 

Mandola's Italian Lunch Place in the East End

 Grabbed my client, forced him to eat locally, in the neighborhood.  Herded him into the quiet, quaint family-den atmosphere of Mandola's Deli on Leeland Street near Cullen.  The place had already cleared off its lunch crowd and we were immediately helped in making our selections.  A hot plate lunch of spaghetti and tomato sauce and a breaded chicken breast topped with cheese and more of the same sauce....chicken patronella, perhaps.  Me....I'm always going to check out your Rueben game, if you dare to post one on your menu. 

Add (2) stuffed eggs if you please...and my guest asks "What kinda of place is this?

The lunch plate turned out to delight and satisfy my client, thereby paving the way to close our business dealings.
Sweet! But he declined offer of cheesecake for dessert.

The Reuben....nothing but disappointment.  Corned beef was thickly sliced but not stacked high. I look for succulence coming from a thinly sliced tower of pink. None here.
The 'kraut was meager.  The bread was soggy and ordinary.
Only the sauce was on game, pleasantly playing a supporting role, and did not drench.
I would have been ashamed to serve this sorry sandwich.  The price suggested an unwarranted pride in Mandola's offering. 

Support the East End neigbhorhood.  But let 'em know, we know what good is.

 "Good is" .....was the subs at Paletta's Grocery Store in San Antonio.  Here's a photo of Sonny Paletta at his grocery.
Talk about "old country Italian", that was Palletta's.