Monthly Archives: February 2007

Some transportation-related items

Posted on February 12, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Just a little roundup here, since I’m short on time: 1. Christof continues his look at the Universities line options, with a review of the western end of the track out in the Gulfton area. The good news here is … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | Comments Off on Some transportation-related items

Olivia meets Audrey

Posted on February 12, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

After I came home and made the announcement about Audrey’s arrival, I took Olivia to the hospital to meet her new baby sister. So far, so good – she was very interested in this new baby, and gave her multiple … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in See, I do have a life! | 2 Comments

Announcing Audrey Elizabeth

Posted on February 11, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

It gives me great pleasure to announce the slightly early but very welcome arrival of Audrey Elizabeth Kuffner, who made her intentions known early this morning and officially entered the world at 1:13 PM CST on Sunday, February 11. Like … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in See, I do have a life! | 23 Comments

RIP, Eddie Feigner

Posted on February 10, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Eddie Feigner, the greatest softball player ever, has passed away at the age of 81. With a fastball once clocked at 104 mph, Feigner threw 930 no-hitters and 238 perfect games and struck out 141,517 batters while playing more than … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Other sports | 6 Comments

Lobbyist connections: Not just for vaccine orders!

Posted on February 10, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

I’m sure you’ll be as shocked as I was to learn that Governor Perry’s harebrained scheme to sell off the Texas Lottery comes complete with its own cozy lobbyist connections, just like the HPV vaccine order did. Former U.S. Sen. … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Jackpot! | 3 Comments

West 11th Street Park still not out of the woods

Posted on February 10, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Via Houstonist, here’s another update on the West 11th Street Park. On Jan. 8, Houston City Council opted to buy the 20.2 acres for $9.2 million. Of that purchase price, $4 million will come from city funds, $1.7 million from … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | Comments Off on West 11th Street Park still not out of the woods

What he said

Posted on February 10, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

I don’t often do a post that just says “What he said”, but every once in a while circumstances dictate it. So, without further ado: What he said. That is all. (Thanks to Greg for the pointer.) UPDATE: Jack Cafferty … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Other punditry | 1 Comment

Another bill to stop red light cameras filed

Posted on February 10, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Via The Walker Report, State Rep. Carl Isett is trying again to pass a bill that would outlaw red light cameras. Isett’s bill, which has been refereed to the House Urban Affairs Committee, would bar any ‘local authority’ from ‘operating … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | 1 Comment

North line complaints

Posted on February 9, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

I’m scratching my head over this article, in which business owners along the proposed North Line GRT route are saying Metro wants to condemn their properties but hasn’t told them about it yet. About 30 owners and residents attended a … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | 7 Comments

Spend a Saturday with the Noriegas in Fort Bend

Posted on February 9, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

I can’t make it to this event, but you should: FORT BEND DEMOCRATS Invite you to A Tribute to an American Family An Evening with Rick and Melissa Noriega Friday, February 16th at 7:00PM Quail Valley Country Club, Missouri City … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2007 | Comments Off on Spend a Saturday with the Noriegas in Fort Bend

What does the Constitution say?

Posted on February 9, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Paul Burka considers the constitutional aspect of Governor Perry’s executive order regarding the HPV vaccine, for which AG Greg Abbott has been asked to issue a ruling. I’ll leave the details and the politics of it to Burka, who covers … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Show Business for Ugly People | Comments Off on What does the Constitution say?

Heck of a job, Albert

Posted on February 9, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Governor Perry has reappointed Albert Hawkins to his post as the head of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. Hawkins, a former official in the George W. Bush White House who has served as commissioner since January 2003, was … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | Comments Off on Heck of a job, Albert

Pretty much all you need to know about the Lottery selloff plan

Posted on February 9, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

I’ve highlighted the logical incongruities of Governor Perry’s plan to sell off the Texas Lottery, but as I’m not what I’d consider a financial expert, I wasn’t sure if I was missing something obvious. Now, thanks to Vince, I see … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Jackpot! | 4 Comments

Edwards stands up

Posted on February 8, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Took him a little while to do it, but in the end John Edwards did the right thing. Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards said Thursday he was personally offended by the provocative messages two of his campaign bloggers wrote criticizing … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in The making of the President | 1 Comment

Voucherpalooza

Posted on February 8, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Is it just me, or does the tone of the voucher rally sound a tad bit desperate? San Antonio businessman James Leininger, arguably the state’s biggest supporter of school vouchers, sought out a shady spot to talk about his soon-to-end … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Comments Off on Voucherpalooza

McCown on the HPV order

Posted on February 8, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Scott McCown of the Center for Public Policy Priorities wades in on the HPV vaccination controversy and makes the same point I did, with a lot more detail. Both the vaccination order and the 65 percent order, however, violate the … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Show Business for Ugly People | Comments Off on McCown on the HPV order

FTA funding for Metro

Posted on February 8, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Good news. The Federal Transit Administration has given a helpful push to the Metropolitan Transit Authority’s plans for its North and Southeast bus rapid transit lines, Metro President and CEO Frank Wilson said Tuesday. FTA officials announced early in the … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Autry Court v2.0

Posted on February 8, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

And speaking of new sports venues, here’s one that’s a way long time in coming. Rice announced Tuesday a $7 million gift from [Bobby] Tudor, a 1982 Rice graduate, and his wife, Phoebe, that will jump-start a $23 million, 18-month … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Dynamo Stadium?

Posted on February 8, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Since I stopped paying attention to the Dynamo a few minutes after their team name was chosen, I hadn’t realized that they were seriously looking at moving to a to-be-built stadium somewhere out in the ‘burbs unless the city of … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Texans blogger needed

Posted on February 8, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Chron fanblogger Stephanie Stradley returns from attending the Super Bowl in Miami with a report of the festivities and, sadly, an announcement that she’s retiring from the blog. I’m not much of a Texans fan, but I enjoyed her blog … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Blog stuff | 1 Comment

Would you buy that?

Posted on February 7, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Now that I’ve seen the plan to sell the Lottery, I just have one question: What in the world are they thinking? Perry centered his State of the State address on the idea of selling the state lottery for at … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Jackpot! | Comments Off on Would you buy that?

If you want me to vote for you, here’s what you’ve got to do

Posted on February 7, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

I’ve already said that I’m not terribly interested in obsessing over the Presidential primaries right now. I have, however, figured out what my minimum requirement is for being considered worthy for my vote. Two bloggers hired by John Edwards to … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in The making of the President | 1 Comment

Gentrification watch: Houston Avenue

Posted on February 7, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

I occasionally drive down Houston Avenue on my way to or from downtown. Like some other historic thoroughfares in Houston, it is in need of some revitalization. Recently, I’ve started noticing some indicators that this is beginning to happen. That’s … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | 4 Comments

Supporting Richmond Rail the practical way

Posted on February 7, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

I love this: Members of RichmondRail.org have organized a “Tuesday Nights Out” club, in which they and other supporters of rail on Richmond patronize restaurants and other businesses along the possible routes, both to meet and greet neighbors and to … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | 1 Comment

Abbott sues Sprint

Posted on February 7, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Following on the heels of the complaint by Comptroller Susan Combs about the business tax surcharge that Sprint is attempting to levy on its customers, Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott has filed suit against the company to make it stop. … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | 3 Comments

Wind energy followup, and geothermal leases

Posted on February 7, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

I got some good comments to this post about wind farms, specifically addressing the issue of danger to birds. From that, I gather that the peril is fairly small. I particularly like this quote from John Flicker of the Audubon … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Technology, science, and math | 1 Comment

Where were you in 2005, Jane?

Posted on February 7, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

I knew that there had to have been a previous example of an inappropriate Executive Order by Rick Perry that usurped the Legislature, and Paul Burka reminds me of it: the Sixty-Five Percent order for public schools. If anyone can … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Show Business for Ugly People | Comments Off on Where were you in 2005, Jane?

The state of the state 2007

Posted on February 6, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

We’ve had the State of the City, we’ve had the State of the Union, and now it’s time for the State of the State, much of which we know about already. I’ll skip the preview for now, and just note … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in The great state of Texas | Comments Off on The state of the state 2007

Perry’s needle problem: Day Three

Posted on February 6, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

I have to say, however the matter of Governor Perry’s Executive Suggestion regarding the HPV vaccine plays out, it’s been all kinds of fun watching the Republican-on-Republican action that has resulted from it. “This needs closer examination. How much will … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Show Business for Ugly People | Comments Off on Perry’s needle problem: Day Three

City wins strip club lawsuit

Posted on February 6, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

It was a long time in coming, but the city has finally won the lawsuit against it that will allow it to finally implement the 1997 sexually oriented businesses (SOB) laws. U.S. District Judge Nancy Atlas has ruled the city … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | 1 Comment

Garnet Coleman gets on board the podcast train

Posted on February 6, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Rep. Garnet Coleman has joined the ever-expanding list of House Democrats who are blogging/vlogging/podcasting. You can see his current video on that page, and videos plus podcasts here. More from the Rep himself is on BOR. And yes, he has … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Wind farms

Posted on February 6, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

This article on the dynamics behind wind farms was interesting but a little unsatisfying. I got some good information out of it, but I think it needed some more to really finish the job. Though embraced by state political leaders … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Technology, science, and math | 2 Comments

What are the odds for Barry Bonds?

Posted on February 6, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

One presumes that Barry Bonds’ pursuit of Henry Aaron’s record of 755 home runs will be a top story line this year. The question is how likely is he to actually get there? John Beamer of Hardball Times takes a … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball | Comments Off on What are the odds for Barry Bonds?

Property values up, crime down in Farmer’s Branch

Posted on February 6, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Damn those illegal immigrants! Despite an uptick in crime in 2003 and 2004, the 10-year crime rate dropped 27 percent from 1995 to 2005, according to figures from the Texas Department of Public Safety. The average value of a Farmers … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in National news | Comments Off on Property values up, crime down in Farmer’s Branch