Monthly Archives: September 2007

Ron Reynolds update

Posted on September 11, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Hal noticed my earlier post regarding Ron Reynolds, who is going to run a Democratic primary challenge to State Rep. Dora Olivo, and wanted to clear something up: Reynolds told me at Saturday’s Democratic Party function that he indeed had … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2008 | Comments Off on Ron Reynolds update

District Clerk appointee to be named today

Posted on September 11, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

The word I’m hearing from anonymous sources is that today is the day that the district court judges are going to pick their replacement for Charles Bacarisse as District Clerk. I’m told that they want the replacement to be an … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | 1 Comment

My visit to the Center

Posted on September 11, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

As I mentioned before, I had the opportunity last week to take a visit to the Center Serving Persons with Mental Retardation and get a tour of the facility from its executive director, Eva Aguirre. The first time I ever … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | 1 Comment

Books by people I know

Posted on September 11, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Technically, John Anderson isn’t someone I know, since I’ve never actually met or spoken with him. But he’s the cousin of my buddy Michael Croft, and that’s close enough for me. His book is called Follow the Money, and it’s … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Books | 2 Comments

Everything you wanted to know about Kirby Drive reconstruction

Posted on September 11, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

I think now I know why Robin doesn’t post all that often on her blog: Because when she does post, it’s big, and packed with all kinds of useful stuff. In this case, it’s about the reconstruction plans for Kirby … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | Comments Off on Everything you wanted to know about Kirby Drive reconstruction

How will the Woodlands govern itself?

Posted on September 11, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

I don’t claim to know how The Woodlands governs itself. After reading this article, I’m still not sure that I understand it. Besides, as someone who’s always lived in a big city, the idea of there not being some kind … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Comments Off on How will the Woodlands govern itself?

Texas blog roundup for the week of September 10

Posted on September 11, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

A new week is here and that means it’s time for another edition of the Texas Progressive Alliance’s Blog Round Up. This week’s round-up is brought to you by Vince from Capitol Annex. Click on for the highlights. Continue reading →

Posted in Blog stuff | Comments Off on Texas blog roundup for the week of September 10

Rick on FDL

Posted on September 10, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

As promised, Rick Noriega addressed the issue of the blog story and answered questions at Firedoglake today. Some people accepted his apology and explanation, some remained skeptical, some others fell in between. In the end, the story was Rick said … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2008 | 4 Comments

Behind the scenes with the River Oaks preservation efforts

Posted on September 10, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

This story about the behind-the-scenes efforts to delay or deter the demolition of the River Oaks Shopping Center is interesting, but not particularly instructive. To me, the whole crux of the matter is at the very end: In the end, … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | 2 Comments

Interview with Zaf Tahir

Posted on September 10, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

As promised at Kuff’s World, today marks the beginning of my series of interviews with candidates for Houston City Council this November. I’ve got several already lined up for the near future, and will be pursuing more as we go. … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2007 | Comments Off on Interview with Zaf Tahir

For want of an attorney

Posted on September 10, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

This is a pretty damning article about the status of the defendants who were convicted in cases that involved tainted evidence from the HPD Crime Lab. Years after the DNA debacle at the Houston crime lab prompted scrutiny of hundreds … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | Comments Off on For want of an attorney

News flash: Hispanics abandoning GOP

Posted on September 10, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Though I trust that this comes as a shock to nobody, it’s still nice to see in the papers. Lionel Sosa has been a proud Republican for years. He produced campaign commercials for the late Sen. John Tower, worked as … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Show Business for Ugly People | Comments Off on News flash: Hispanics abandoning GOP

Neighborhood development

Posted on September 10, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

News from my neighborhood. Allegro Builders will soon begin construction on the two-story structure at 1001 Studewood. The 9,650-square-foot building will house an upscale pizzeria on the ground floor and offices above, including a realty firm and mortgage company. Russo’s … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | Comments Off on Neighborhood development

Talk about your bad polls…

Posted on September 10, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Oregon 39, Michigan 7. A week after being upset by Appalachian State, the Michigan Wolverines were handed their most lopsided loss in 39 years as Dennis Dixon and the Ducks cruised 39-7 on Saturday. Dixon accounted for 368 yards and … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Other sports | Comments Off on Talk about your bad polls…

What Rick said about blogs

Posted on September 9, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

I’m going to be brief regarding this story about Rick Noriega, the netroots, and some comments about the netroots he made in a recent speech to the Texas Association of Broadcasters. Here’s the contentious bit: Noriega early last month went … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2008 | 5 Comments

Lance Armstrong at Rice

Posted on September 9, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

That would, of course, be Lance Armstrong, speaking at Rice Stadium in support of Proposition 15, which as you know kicked off its campaign this week. TV coverage of that event can be found here (with video) and here. More … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2007 | Comments Off on Lance Armstrong at Rice

Lawsuit against updated Georgia voter ID law dismissed

Posted on September 9, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

If the Texas Legislature is going to be as hell-bent on passing a frivolous voter ID law the next time it gets together, here’s a template for one that will survive judicial review. A federal judge who once struck down … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in National news | Comments Off on Lawsuit against updated Georgia voter ID law dismissed

Potato!

Posted on September 9, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

I agree with Fred: This is the greatest hidden ball trick ever, and is now on my short list for best baseball stories ever. On Aug. 31, 1987, Dave Bresnahan was the Michelangelo of potato sculpting. He sacrificed five fine … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball | Comments Off on Potato!

The HCCS Trustee elections

Posted on September 8, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Though today’s story is more about Jay Aiyer and his potential political future, it does at least correct a gap that I pointed out about Houston Community College System (HCCS) Trustee elections. Three newcomers will vie to represent [Aiyer’s] district, … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2007 | 1 Comment

Bradford v Rosenthal, round 2

Posted on September 8, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

In her last column for the Chron before moving on to the WaPo, Kristen Mack writes about the upcoming battle for Harris County DA between Chuck Rosenthal and former HPD Chief C.O. Bradford. I think she’s right to call it … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2008 | 1 Comment

A challenger for Vo – anybody else?

Posted on September 8, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Like The Professors, I had heard about HISD Trustee Greg Meyers’ plans to run against State Rep. Hubert Vo in HD149, which he has now made official, some time ago. And like the Professors, I think Meyers will present a … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2008 | 1 Comment

Design change for the Astrodome hotel

Posted on September 8, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Time for another Astrodome redevelopment update. Entrepreneurs looking to turn the iconic Astrodome into an upscale convention hotel have scrapped a “best of historic Texas” theme for a more modern, streamlined look. A faux Texas courthouse and other features that … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | 1 Comment

Four for Bacarisse’s job

Posted on September 7, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

With District Clerk Charles Bacarisse stepping down to take on Ed Emmett in the GOP primary for County Judge next March, someone has to fill in for him and do the job that he was elected to do. Four people … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2008 | Comments Off on Four for Bacarisse’s job

More on TxDOT’s PR offensive

Posted on September 7, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Let’s get one thing straight about the TxDOT advertising blitz that’s going on right now. Top state transportation officials and Gov. Rick Perry’s deputy chief of staff are being trained by political and corporate strategy pros before deploying on talk … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | 1 Comment

NASA’s Urban Legend Problem

Posted on September 7, 2007 by admin

No doubt NASA administrator Mike Griffin wishes that the tale of a diaper-wearing astronaut who drove to Florida with black gloves, a wig, a BB pistol and ammunition, pepper spray, a 2-pound drilling hammer, rubber tubing, plastic garbage bags, an … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Technology, science, and math | 1 Comment

Photos from the River Oaks Shopping Center demolition

Posted on September 7, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Didn’t get a chance to get to this yesterday… I took a few photos of the ongoing demolition at the River Oaks Shopping Center yesterday. The one above is my favorite – kinda looks like a mechanical dinosaur having a … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | 7 Comments

The Center Opens Group Homes for Mentally Retarded Adults

Posted on September 7, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

The following is a press release from the Center Serving Persons with Mental Retardation: The Center Serving Persons with Mental Retardation, a nonprofit agency committed to offering its clients opportunities for personal growth, is opening three group homes for adults … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | Comments Off on The Center Opens Group Homes for Mentally Retarded Adults

Smoke-free Sugar Land

Posted on September 7, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Sugar Land has gone (mostly) smoke-free. Smoking will be restricted in restaurants, businesses, public parks, as well as Town Square Plaza and outdoor arenas. But the ordinance does exclude country clubs, retail tobacco stores, tobacco bars, stage areas for theatrical … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Comments Off on Smoke-free Sugar Land

Voter education forum this Saturday

Posted on September 7, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Beneath the fold is a press release from TJ Baker-Holm, whom I met at Wednesday night’s HGLBT Political Caucus meeting. Click the More link to read it. Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2008 | Comments Off on Voter education forum this Saturday

In the Pink Texas Monthly

Posted on September 6, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Congrats to Eileen for her new gig as the first-ever editor of texasmonthly.com. The post doesn’t say what she’ll actually be doing there, though one presumes she’ll be livening up the weekly staff meetings, but I’m sure we’ll find out … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Blog stuff | Comments Off on In the Pink Texas Monthly

DOJ opposes net neutrality

Posted on September 6, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Can’t say this surprises me. The Justice Department said today that Internet service providers should be allowed to charge a fee for priority Web traffic. The agency told the Federal Communications Commission, which is reviewing high-speed Internet practices, that it … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in National news | 2 Comments

Still time for the HISD bond referendum?

Posted on September 6, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

I had the pleasure of speaking before the HGLBT Political Caucus on Wednesday night. It actually was more of a Q&A session, which is more fun anyway, especially since I don’t exactly have a stump speech I can lean on. … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2007 | 1 Comment

Looscan Library ribbon-cutting (with photos)

Posted on September 6, 2007 by Tiffany Tyler

Yesterday afternoon there was a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Looscan Library at Willowick and Westheimer. Brief remarks were made by Rhea Brown Lawson, the HPL Director; Mayor White; Council Member Pam Holm; Bonnie Brooks, the President of Friends of … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | Comments Off on Looscan Library ribbon-cutting (with photos)

More on the announced candidates

Posted on September 6, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

We know who’s running for city offices this year (well, we think we know – more on that in a minute). But who are some of these people? Today’s Chron story gives a few answers. Four incumbent council members will … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2007 | 2 Comments