Monthly Archives: July 2011

We need better information about our schools

Posted on July 11, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

SBOE member Thomas Ratliff makes a lot of sense about school accountability ratings and how little they really tell you about a given school’s performance. Many people across the state are familiar with the terms “exemplary,” “recognized,” “academically acceptable” or … Continue reading →

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Amazon versus California

Posted on July 11, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

It’s getting real in the Golden State. Saying it won’t force California customers to pay sales tax on their Internet purchases, Amazon.com is severing ties with 10,000 small businesses and individuals here who funnel shoppers to the online bazaar through … Continue reading →

Posted in Bidness | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

Weekend link dump for July 10

Posted on July 10, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

I haven’t opened my eyes yet – can someone tell me if the Legislature is still gone? TLC Channel vs. Lifetime TV In a Battle for Women’s Souls. Alabama fails to learn from Georgia’s xenophobia experience, with predictable results. From … Continue reading →

Posted in Blog stuff | Tagged | 1 Comment

No appeal for now of red light camera ruling

Posted on July 10, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

The city will have to wait until the remaining issues in the red light camera lawsuit are resolved before it can appeal the judge’s ruling. A federal judge ruled Friday that the city of Houston may not appeal his ruling … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | Tagged , , , , | 8 Comments

713 ™

Posted on July 10, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

WTF? Anheuser-Busch is counting on civic pride to make its next product a smash seller: beer named after America’s various beer-drinking cities, based on their area codes. To that end, AB has already applied for a federal trademark for “713” … Continue reading →

Posted in Food, glorious food | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

More cork recycling

Posted on July 10, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

I’m always interested in recycling stories. The [Oregon-based nonprofit Cork Forest Conservation Alliance], whose donors include vineyards, want to remind oenophiles that cork products are made from the bark of the cork tree, which regenerates and is harvested every nine … Continue reading →

Posted in Society and cultcha | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Der-ek Jet-er!

Posted on July 10, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Clap-clap-clap clap clap. After Derek Jeter fouled off consecutive full-count pitches in the third inning on Saturday, the Yankee Stadium organist tickled the ivories to the tune of “Let’s-Go, Yank-ees!” Impulsively, the 48,103 fans who made up the sold-out crowd … Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Saturday video break: Space, the final frontier

Posted on July 9, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

In honor of the last flight of the space shuttle, I give you Elton John’s “Rocket Man”, as interpreted by the one and only William Shatner: Of all the Shatnerian performances in the world, I think that one is the … Continue reading →

Posted in Technology, science, and math | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

New clean air rule from EPA

Posted on July 9, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

A new rule from the EPA that seeks to limit pollution that originates in one state but affects others as well should have a big effect on Texas. The rule, which covers 27 states and the District of Columbia, will … Continue reading →

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Fourteen and counting

Posted on July 9, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

That’s fourteen lawsuits related to redistricting. At least 14 lawsuits have been filed against the state’s recent redistricting efforts, with more likely on the way. Every decade, Texas lawmakers are responsible for redrawing political boundaries in light of population changes. … Continue reading →

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Sometimes, a little spite goes only a little way

Posted on July 9, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

I’ve decided I’m more amused by this story than anything else. Last year, six tea party members in the Houston area promised to make Austin City Council members pay for rebuking Arizona’s new immigration enforcement law, and they used extensive … Continue reading →

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Burgerville

Posted on July 9, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

We’ve seen a bunch of well-regarded and highly-anticipated national burger chains enter Houston recently – Five Guys, In ‘n’ Out, The Counter – but the one I’d love to see hit our shores is Burgerville. As the 39-restaurant chain looks … Continue reading →

Posted in Food, glorious food | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Yao retires

Posted on July 8, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Godspeed, big guy. Yao Ming, who became the face of China’s outreach to the West and the NBA’s growing popularity around the globe, has informed the Rockets and NBA he would retire, several individuals told of the decision confirmed on … Continue reading →

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Friday random ten: How in the heck will we wash our necks?

Posted on July 8, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

We’ve not had a lot of rain around here lately, though we did get a decent soaking on Wednesday (at least at my house) and there are some chances for thunderstorms over the next few days. We’ll need a lot … Continue reading →

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More on the red light camera return

Posted on July 8, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Here’s the Chron story about the reinstatement of the red light cameras. A couple of points that need to be made: Wednesday’s announcement provoked the full fury of Paul Kubosh, a lawyer who helped lead the petition drive to get … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 17 Comments

On challenging Ron Paul in CD14

Posted on July 8, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Jason Stanford has a question. So why aren’t we targeting Ron Paul again? The Texas legislature drew him the reapportionment equivalent of a target on his back. They took away some of his red meat territory and gave him Galveston … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2012 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Austin presents a single-member Council map

Posted on July 8, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

The city of Austin has released the first maps of a proposed six-district City Council, which Mayor Lee Leffingwell would like to put on the ballot next year for public approval. The City of Austin has for decades operated under … Continue reading →

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The Women’s World Cup

Posted on July 8, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

I’ve been enjoying the Women’s World Cup this year. Being on vacation during the first week of group play meant I got to see more games than I otherwise would have. One thing I’ve noticed is a distinct lack of … Continue reading →

Posted in Other sports | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Opening arguments in the sonogram lawsuit

Posted on July 7, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

No clear indications about how the judge might rule, but there are a few straws in the wind. U.S. District Judge Sam Sparks, however, indicated some discomfort with portions of the bill that critics consider vague, particularly as physicians could … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | Tagged , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Texas Supreme Court dismisses voting machine lawsuit

Posted on July 7, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

This came out late Friday. Dealing a blow to critics of electronic voting machines, the Texas Supreme Court on Friday dismissed a case brought by Travis County voters that alleged the machines were not secure or reliable. The machines “are … Continue reading →

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That’s what I call double parking

Posted on July 7, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Did you know that there were hydraulic parking lifts in use in Houston? I didn’t. District D Councilwoman Wanda Adams, who represents Midtown, attached an amendment to the city budget passed last month that requires the planning department to craft … Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Texas blog roundup for the week of July 4

Posted on July 7, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

The Texas Progressive Alliance wishes the United States a happy 235th birthday as it brings you this holiday week roundup.

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Red light cameras to be turned back on

Posted on July 6, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

For now, at least. The city of Houston will turn its red-light cameras back on today, Mayor Annise Parker announced after this morning’s City Council meeting. According to a statement from the mayor’s office, tickets will be issued after a … Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | Tagged , , , , , , | 27 Comments

The HISD/charter school “talent war”

Posted on July 6, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

This sounds more alarming than it should be. KIPP, in competition with HISD for students, increasingly is wooing high-level staff, too. Mike Feinberg, cofounder and superintendent of KIPP Houston, calls the contest for administrators “a talent war.” Since last year, … Continue reading →

Posted in School days | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Jones files her own complaint

Posted on July 6, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Okay. Houston City Councilwoman Jolanda Jones, the subject of a city inspector general investigation, has filed a Texas State Bar grievance against City Attorney David Feldman. Jones’s spokeswoman, Kelly Cripe, would not provide a copy of the grievance, but she … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

Who wants to help build the Grand Parkway?

Posted on July 6, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

The State of Texas wants to know. The Texas Department of Transportation, which has responsibility for the parkway in Harris, Montgomery and Chambers Counties, is moving toward use of a public-private partnership to get faster funding for the multibillion-dollar, 184-mile … Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

We’re number 16!

Posted on July 6, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

In a list of green cities. The Bayou City placed 16th in the newly released U.S. and Canada Green City Index, a study conducted by the Economist Intelligence Unit on behalf of Siemens. The study, released at the 2011 Aspen … Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

You don’t look a day over 170, Houston

Posted on July 5, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Lisa Gray has a question and a request. How do you celebrate Houston’s 175th birthday? It’s a surprisingly hard question. How do you salute the longevity and stability of a place that prides itself on change? How do you sum … Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Why the budget almost didn’t pass in the special session

Posted on July 5, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

You may recall that just before the House passed SB1, which was a must-pass bill for the special session and whose failure would have necessitated a second special session, the House voted it down before reconsidering and passing it on … Continue reading →

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Still no statewide smoking ban

Posted on July 5, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Last Tuesday, just before the special session ended, the Trib summarized where the effort to pass a statewide smoking ban stood. Bill: SB 28 would institute a statewide ban on smoking in bars, restaurants and many public places. If passes, supporters … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Name the new Corpse Flower

Posted on July 5, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

The Houston Museum of Natural Science needs your help. You remember Lois the Corpse Flower, right? Of course you do. Because no one could forget our favorite stinky plant! As it turns out, the fine folks at CultureMap – the … Continue reading →

Posted in Technology, science, and math | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

State asks Supreme Court to vacate Open Beaches ruling

Posted on July 4, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Apparently, the original litigant no longer owns the house in question. San Diego, Calif., attorney Carol Severance, who brought the lawsuit challenging the Open Beaches Act, sold the storm-battered property last week to the city of Galveston. Money for the … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Green weddings

Posted on July 4, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Sure, why not? Enter Brandi Dunagan, the owner of Country Sugar Events in San Antonio, a certified green wedding planner with a list of vendors who can line up local produce for the reception, find locally grown flowers, design invitations … Continue reading →

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Weekend link dump for July 3

Posted on July 3, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Three cheers for the red, white, and blue… There’s no need to fast before going on a diet. When you elect shady, entitled jerks to positions of power, don’t be surprised by the egregious things they do. “Kids food” should … Continue reading →

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