Monthly Archives: August 2008

Appraisal lawsuits

Posted on August 14, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

HCAD wants more money to do battle with those who don’t like their tax bills. Skyrocketing commercial property values have led to costly court battles for the Harris County Appraisal District, prompting its leaders to propose increasing its budget to … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | 4 Comments

How much longer for the Alabama Bookstop?

Posted on August 14, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Swamplot hears from a reader: A reader notes that a sign offering “13,000 sq feet of restaurant/retail for lease” is up at the Alabama Bookstop, and asks if plans for the location have been announced. There’s no doubt that the … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | 1 Comment

RIP, Bill Gwatney

Posted on August 13, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Bill Gwatney, the chair of the Democratic Party in Arkansas, was shot dead in his office today by a lone gunman. Chairman Bill Gwatney died at 3:59 Wednesday afternoon after a gunman entered his Little Rock office and shot him … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in National news | 4 Comments

How the Katy Freeway toll lanes will work

Posted on August 13, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Ready or not, here come the rules. Under the proposal, motorists wishing to use the high-occupancy lanes would have to buy an EZ Tag or get a TxTag from the Texas Turnpike Authority. EZ Tags cost $15 and require a … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | 1 Comment

Moratorium on power cutoffs urged

Posted on August 13, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

The last thing you’d want to have happen during the hot summer months is to have your electricity cut off. Lawmakers and consumer advocates have asked the Texas Public Utility Commission to impose a moratorium that would prevent companies from … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | Comments Off on Moratorium on power cutoffs urged

PETA and the fence

Posted on August 13, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Well, it’s not like the concept of the border fence could get any more ridiculous. While many view the contentious border fence as a government fiasco, an animal rights group sees a rare opportunity. People for the Ethical Treatment of … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in National news | 2 Comments

Kids today

Posted on August 13, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Even as I’ve reached advanced decrepitude a more mature age, I’ve never been one of those people who believes that kids today are somehow more apathetic/less engaged than they were in my day. I mean, I was there in my … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Society and cultcha | 4 Comments

Green landscaping

Posted on August 13, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Just a bit from this story about hard times in the landscaping business that caught my eye: Lately [John Catapano, who owns Houston’s Western Horticultural Services, has] used more environmentally friendly products to help cut costs. Two years ago, he … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Bidness | 1 Comment

Matula calls on Davis to return Rove money

Posted on August 12, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

I said yesterday that if Harris County GOP Chair Jared Woodfill wanted to go there on “tainted” campaign contributions that I’d be more than happy to engage in the discussion. There’s certainly no lack of material for that conversation. I … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2008 | Comments Off on Matula calls on Davis to return Rove money

The Libertarian effect on the House

Posted on August 12, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

So to follow up on the whole Libertarian/Speaker thing from last week, I listened to the brief interview RG Ratcliffe did with Texas LP Chair Wes Benedict, who among other things spoke about the LP’s growing influence on Legislative races … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2008 | 6 Comments

The Astros and Barry

Posted on August 12, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

I agree with Richard Justice. Hello, Barry, this is Drayton. Are you ready to be a champion? The Astros need a left fielder. I know the name of a good one. He’s rested and ready. He’ll bring a buzz to … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball | Comments Off on The Astros and Barry

Big Bland John

Posted on August 12, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

The Texas Observer has a useful piece on our junior Senator, John Cornyn. There’s a lot of detail, but I think they captured his essence pretty thoroughly in these three sentences: No one has done more to propel Cornyn’s career … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2008 | Comments Off on Big Bland John

Texas blog roundup for the week of August 11

Posted on August 12, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Olympics time! Are you an avid fan, a boycotter, or somewhere in between? Maybe you’re just tuning in for women’s beach volleyball, like President Bush. Whatever your taste, you can find medal-worthy material in the weekly Texas Progressive Alliance blog … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Blog stuff | 2 Comments

Be the first kid on your block to know who Obama’s VP is

Posted on August 11, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Speaking of new frontiers for text messaging, here’s an email from the Barack Obama campaign of interest: Barack Obama is about to make one of the most important decisions of this campaign — choosing a running mate. You have helped … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in The making of the President | Comments Off on Be the first kid on your block to know who Obama’s VP is

Send a text to 9-1-1

Posted on August 11, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

I don’t think it had ever occurred to me that you couldn’t send a text message to 9-1-1, but then that’s because it hadn’t occurred to me that you might want to. They’re working on it, however, and you will … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Technology, science, and math | Comments Off on Send a text to 9-1-1

Here comes Karl

Posted on August 11, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

As I noted two weeks ago, Tuesday is the day that Karl Rove slinks into town for a fundraiser in support of four Harris County Republican candidates for State House. Rove’s a busy man these days, what with dodging all … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2008 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Here comes Karl

Interview with Vince Ryan

Posted on August 11, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

There are a lot of local candidates this year, so I’m getting an early start on doing candidate interviews, to make sure that I’ll have the time to do them all. My goal is to talk to all the candidates … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2008 | Comments Off on Interview with Vince Ryan

Winning the iconography battle

Posted on August 11, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

However the election turns out this fall, I think it’s safe to say that Barack Obama is a much stronger brand than John McCain. Political T-shirts — particularly those supporting presumed Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama — are emerging in … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in The making of the President | 4 Comments

Abetting walking

Posted on August 11, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

It’s early in the game, but there are proposals in the works to make various parts of Houston’s inner core more pedestrian-friendly. After two years of work, Houston’s Department of Planning and Development has released recommendations that cover pedestrian zones, … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | 2 Comments

RIP, Jim Warren

Posted on August 11, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Via Harold Cook, I learn of the untimely passing of Capitol insider and Renaissance man Jim Warren, better known by his nom de blog Billy Clyde and his nom de comment Noitall. He clearly knew where a lot of skeletons … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in The great state of Texas | Comments Off on RIP, Jim Warren

The local excitement

Posted on August 10, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

One of the recurring themes of this election is the enthusiasm Democrats feel, locally and nationally, about their candidates and chances of winning this fall, and how that is translating into tangible effects. I got a pretty good taste of … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2008 | 1 Comment

Car pooling

Posted on August 10, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Add this to the growing list of stories about how people are adapting to higher gas prices. NuRide is one of several alternatives to single-occupant commuting that the Houston-Galveston Area Council is promoting during August — traditionally designated Commute Solutions … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | Comments Off on Car pooling

Lie your way to better health

Posted on August 10, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

A little dishonesty can be good for your health. And no, I’m not talking about altering the bathroom scale to give more favorable readings. Would you lie to your family to get them to eat healthier foods? It just might … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Food, glorious food | 3 Comments

Weekend link dump for August 9

Posted on August 9, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

So long, Edouard, it was not nice knowing you… First Rush and the Rams, and now Ari and the Pack? It’s almost enough to make you want to swear off football. How long before he blames the Vikings or the … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Blog stuff | Comments Off on Weekend link dump for August 9

Comets for sale

Posted on August 9, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Sadly, I can’t say that this is a surprise. Comets owner Hilton Koch is putting the WNBA franchise up for sale less than two years after he bought it. Donna Orender said in a phone interview Friday night that the … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Other sports | 2 Comments

HISD settles with comptroller

Posted on August 9, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

The dispute between HISD and the Comptroller’s office over the disparity between what the latter says Harris County’s property values are and what the appraisal district collected has been resolved. The Houston school board accepted a settlement Thursday with the … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | 1 Comment

The great sex toy disappearance

Posted on August 9, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

So HPD misplaced fifty grand worth of sex toys. It could happen to anyone. The Emperor is gone. So is Cyber Wabbit. Three years after Houston police seized these and hundreds of other sex toys worth $50,000 from the Adult … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | 1 Comment

That pillow’s gonna cost ya

Posted on August 9, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Surely no one is surprised by this. JetBlue Airways Corp. said today it is now charging customers for pillows and blankets. The carrier has done away with the recycled blankets and pillows used on its flights, and has started offering … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | Comments Off on That pillow’s gonna cost ya

Will there be a conservative backlash for seeking the HGLBTPC endorsement?

Posted on August 8, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

So with the recent effort by a couple of Republican judicial candidates to garner the endorsement of the Houston GLBT Political Caucus, some folks like me had speculated about the possibility of a backlash by Republican conservatives against them for … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2008 | Comments Off on Will there be a conservative backlash for seeking the HGLBTPC endorsement?

Why I want more recycling in Houston

Posted on August 8, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

We had a lot of recycling this week: The total amount was more than usual – Tiffany had a pile of plastic flowerpots to dispose of (which we now can do), and we had extra paper this week because we’d … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | 4 Comments

Kenedy wind farm lawsuit tossed

Posted on August 8, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

The last lawsuit pending against the Kenedy wind farm project has been dismissed. A federal court in Texas has dismissed a lawsuit, clearing a path for Babcock & Brown to continue its plans for a wind farm on the Texas … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in The great state of Texas | Comments Off on Kenedy wind farm lawsuit tossed

Who will buy the Heights Theater?

Posted on August 8, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Via Swamplot, I see that the Heights Theater on 19th Street is for sale. That’s way too cool a property to sit idle, and that area is pretty hot, so I’m sure there will be a taker. I can only … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | 2 Comments

Cheerleaders in an elevator

Posted on August 8, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Sometimes, all you can do is point and marvel. Twenty-six teenage cheerleaders tried to cram themselves into an elevator at the University of Texas to see how many would fit, but then they got stuck and had to be rescued. … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in General snarkiness | 1 Comment

Jaworski TV

Posted on August 7, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Joe Jaworski goes on the air. Nice, positive, get-to-know-you first spot. At some point you’ve got to throw some punches at Toxic Mike Jackson, but there will be time for that later; if you’re really lucky, third parties will do … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2008 | 1 Comment