But I thought Philly was "fattest city in America"?

Though the main structural design is complete, some minor details may change, including the addition of flood-prevention features.

Translation: "We're going to put in more toilets because of all the over-priced, watered-down beer we're going to be selling."

What?, flooding? we don't have to worry about flooding in Houston, uh, damn, well there was that little flood last month.

Houston Fat Asses???

Isn't that their WNBA team?

PhillyGuy, I think you are right. We are the fattest city.

They sunk the building so that people wouldn't have to climb stairs, but wouldn't they just have to climb the stairs to get out? This is just delaying the inevitable until after the event.

According to this article, we here in Houston have the fattest asses in America. Philly is now third.
http://detnews.com/2001/health/0103/14/d01-199141.htm
We're number one! We're number one!!!

I believe I will celebrate with gravy and cheese.

Yes. Behold the power of CHEESE! I like my cheese chicken-fried.

Ahhh, the armpit of the south is also the fattest.

Yep, there are definately some big fat asses in TexASS. Big, outta shape, pork rib eatin'/diet pepsi sippin' fat fat fat asses.

-he who stacks pork

On a sort of related note, Rolling Rock has become the offical beer of Heinz Field, the Steelers new stadium...

Down to third now? I guess John Street's appeals on Oprah for Philadelphians to eat less cheesesteaks and drink more water are paying off.

However, now fat-asses will have to climb stairs to get to thier sausage dogs. Me thinks alot of children will be fetching the bowl of french fries for daddy in this arena.

PsiDefect: That's what I was thinking, but in the article he points out that in normal stadiums you have to climb going in and out. (Climb, then descend to your seat and visa versa.)

Without flood control they could hold impromptu swimming competitions.

I think the real reason why it is lower, it would have ended up sinking under the weight of all the wide loads there.

Skater:
It's not just our asses. Don't forget the amazing size of our belt-buckles and hats. The hat alone weighs in at around 20lbs.

Only $175 million for the arena? I'm sending a Texas-sized Jack Chick "HAW HAW!" to Houston!

Here in Dallas we're opening our new American Airlines Center this Saturday. Price tag for the sucker? Nobody is really saying, but it was over 420 million bucks! That's a lotta lettuce!

The outside looks impressive. Inside it's supposed to be the cat's meow. I'm seeing Sade in concert there next Monday, so I'll soon find out.

$175 million? HAW HAW! It's gonna cost them more than that for flood insurance!

Blzbubba: From what I can tell, especially in the Houston area, that hats don't matter, since they heads inside them are full of nothing but hot air.

'An arena built into a depression in the earth'.
Hasn't this been done a couple thousand years ago?

Groucho, the More taxpayers' money you waste on a private corporation the better, right?

Phillyguy...please, please check your information before you spout off. The City of Dallas committed $125 million to the new arena--period. When construction costs ran up, the money came from private industry...*not* from the city.

The center kicks off this weekend with concerts by the Eagles, Michael Flatley and Sade. All are sell-outs. (I will, in fact, be there on Monday to see Sade.) The circus comes to town afterwards--and I understand that most performances are sold out.

Upcoming concerts by John Mellencamp, the Backstreet Boys (sheesh!) and Janet Jackson are sold out.

And there's always the professional games with the Mavericks and the Stars. These big-time events presented in a showcase venue help bring in out-of-towners and encourage even more convention business.

It will be *these* rubes who will re-pay the city's $125 mil investment. An additional tax is being added to rental cars and hotel rooms. Nothing is coming out of my pocket--unless my car requires to be in a garage for a few days and I need a rental.

The center will also generate employment. Mostly low-paying jobs, I'll admit, but a lot of folks here want work--no matter what. (We have folks who can make more money here than they can south of the border.)

Meanwhile, it wouldn't hurt *your* city to spruce up its entertainment sites. They looked kinda shabby when I left. And that was 20 years ago! Hell, you *might* even get some of the convention trade instead of losing most of it to Atlantic City.

Oh, yeah! I forgot about something! Legionnaire's Disease! LOL@Philly!

BTW, the word "more" is *not* capitalized unless it's the first word of a sentence or title. Tsk-tsk!

Now what, wiseguy?

Groucho2 - my girlfriend and I saw Sade in concert July 18th at Shoreline Ampitheater in Mountain View, CA. India Arie (a very talented musician) opened up for her. Was a great show. You shouldn't be disappointed.

-he who stacks pork

Thanks, Porkstacker...we're really looking forward to the show. India Arie opens here, too. I'm not familiar with the guy/gal.

Norad, I don't give a fat rat's ass about the Cowboys. I wish Jerry Jones would move all those criminals to Little Rock. I loathe the bums! MY team--the Steelers--kicked the Cocaine Cowboys' dumb asses *twice* in the Super Bore.

I hope your prediction is correct. I'll laugh my ass off!