Monthly Archives: December 2011

Sizing up the opportunities

Posted on December 6, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

This Chron story about the new Congressional map and who’s looking at what (which ran in the Express News last week) has a lot of things we’ve been discussing, and a couple of things to point out. First, a theme … Continue reading →

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It’s hard out here on a Christmas tree

Posted on December 6, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Another victim of the drought: Texas’ Christmas tree farms. [T]he Texas Christmas Tree Growers Association estimates that less than half the owners of the state’s 100 Christmas tree farms had watering systems. Those with the foresight to irrigate saved their … Continue reading →

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From the “And I wish for a pony, too” department

Posted on December 6, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Hey, you know that annual UT-A&M game that’s not going to be played again any time in the near future? Let’s bring it to Reliant Stadium! Why not have Texas and Texas A&M meet at Reliant Stadium every Thanksgiving? It … Continue reading →

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Ron Santo elected to Hall of Fame

Posted on December 5, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Long overdue. Ron Santo, a nine-time All-Star who amassed 342 home runs and five Gold Glove awards, has been elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame by the Golden Era Committee, it was announced today. Santo was the lone … Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Still waiting on SCOTUS

Posted on December 5, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Responses to the State of Texas’ stay request for State House and State Senate elections were due Thursday. Responses to the stay request for Congressional elections, which was filed Wednesday, are due this morning. It’s not clear when SCOTUS will … Continue reading →

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Filing report: Who is Ann Johnson?

Posted on December 5, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

On Friday afternoon, Annie’s List sent out an email to supporters naming some new candidates they’re supporting. One of the names given was Ann Johnson, who has filed to run in HD134, the first Democratic challenger to an incumbent Republican … Continue reading →

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Runoff overview: At Large #2

Posted on December 5, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

For a guy who’s run multiple campaigns for Council – more than he can remember – Andrew Burks is somewhat of a cipher. Let’s see what the Chron overview of the At Large #2 runoff says about perennial candidate Andrew … Continue reading →

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Still more drought may be coming

Posted on December 5, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Just what you wanted to hear, right? There is at least the chance of some good news, however. The drought that has plagued Texas is virtually certain to continue at least until early summer, climate experts said on Tuesday at … Continue reading →

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Weekend link dump for December 4

Posted on December 4, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Is Scrooginess hereditary or environmental? Because “icicle of death” is one of the coolest things you’ll ever read about. The real story behind “Black Friday”. Another way to tell when a politician is lying: When they make outlandish claims about … Continue reading →

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Eight day runoff finance reports

Posted on December 4, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Seven of the eight campaign finance reports for the runoff have been posted; all but Jack Christie’s were available online as of last night. Let’s have a look at them. First up, District A: Candidate Raised Spent Loans Cash on … Continue reading →

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Downtown suburbia

Posted on December 4, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Lisa Gray writes approvingly of a forthcoming urban development in Sugar Land. A far bigger project in the works is the Imperial, a 715-acre development that includes the site of the defunct Imperial Sugar refinery – the factory that built … Continue reading →

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Will Rick Perry lose his superpowers?

Posted on December 4, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

The Statesman wonders what will happen to Rick Perry once his incredibly incompetent Presidential campaign finally implodes and he comes limping back home to Texas. Even as Gov. Rick Perry’s presidential campaign works to get back on track, some are … Continue reading →

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Compost recycling in San Antonio

Posted on December 4, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

And now that I’ve mentioned compost recycling, here’s a look at how it’s working in San Antonio. At New Earth’s composting site off Interstate 10 on the far East Side, it is easy to pick out the pile generated by … Continue reading →

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“Houston History” Fall 2011 Launch Reception

Posted on December 3, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

From the inbox: Join Council Members Ed Gonzalez, Melissa Noriega, and James Rodriguez, and State Representatives Carol Alvarado and Jessica Farrar for the launch of Houston History Magazine  Fall 2011 Issue Tuesday, December 6  5:30-7:00PM Sombreros (formerly Velia’s) 2910 Navigation … Continue reading →

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Saturday video break: You Are in My System

Posted on December 3, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Song #90 on the Popdose Top 100 Covers list is “You Are In My System, originally by The System and covered by Robert Palmer. Here’s the original: It’s an 80s music video boiled down to its essential elements. I love … Continue reading →

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Hochberg bows out, Gallego makes it official

Posted on December 3, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

I am totally bummed out by this. The Legislature’s foremost expert on school finance and one of its top public education advocates, state Rep. Scott Hochberg, D-Houston, confirmed this afternoon that he won’t seek re-election next year. Hochberg, who took … Continue reading →

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Reminder: Get your written comments about I-45 to TxDOT

Posted on December 3, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Here’s the latest email from the I-45 Coalition: I hope you had an opportunity to attend at least one of TxDOT’s public meeting (11/15 at Jeff Davis High School & 11/17 at Aldine High School).  I understand that the Davis … Continue reading →

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Are you ready for “The Osteens”?

Posted on December 3, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

When you think about it, the strange thing is that they didn’t already have a reality TV show. Joel Osteen announced Tuesday that he has partnered with Survivor producer Mark Burnett to create a reality TV show that would follow … Continue reading →

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Growing the recycling economy

Posted on December 3, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

November 15 was National Recycling Day – you may recall it as the day that Houston announced a program to bring recycling to apartments – and on that day the BlueGreen Alliance put out a report on growing the recycling … Continue reading →

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Endorsement watch: Byrd for B

Posted on December 2, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron makes its last endorsement of the 2011 cycle. District B needs effective leadership at City Hall. We believe the lifelong resident and city government veteran Alvin Byrd offers both the experience and knowledge of the district to bring … Continue reading →

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Friday random ten: I hate that song!

Posted on December 2, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

How much do I love a (well-timed) story about songs people hate? I can count ten songs from my collection that the writer and commenters on this piece cannot abide: 1. We Built This City (Extended Club Remix) – Starship … Continue reading →

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Help keep access to birth control

Posted on December 2, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

As you know, it’s been a rough year for advocates of reproductive freedom, here and elsewhere in the country. There’s a lot of work to be done, starting with the next election, to repair the damage and move things forward … Continue reading →

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Runoff overview: At Large #5

Posted on December 2, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

The fifth time is for all the marbles. Again. For the fifth time since 2007, counting general elections and runoffs, Jolanda Jones and Jack Christie are running against each other for the At-Large Position 5 seat on Houston City Council. … Continue reading →

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Grievances filed over Morton case

Posted on December 2, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Interesting. The Texas Coalition on Lawyer Accountability (TCLA) announced that its Executive Director, Julie Oliver, is today filing disciplinary grievances against prosecutors in the Michael Morton case: current Williamson County District Attorney John Bradley; former Williamson County District Attorney (and … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Enron, ten years after

Posted on December 2, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Ten years ago today, on December 2, 2001, Enron officially collapsed. Apparently, you can buy some memorabilia cheap on eBay, which is fitting in a weird way. The Chron had a bunch of Enron look-back stories on Sunday to commemorate. … Continue reading →

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Runoff early voting totals, Day One

Posted on December 1, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Early voting for the city of Houston runoffs began yesterday, and you can see the Day One totals here. I don’t have a daily EV record from the 2007 runoffs, but I note that the total early vote from the … Continue reading →

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Lykos versus the cops

Posted on December 1, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Various law enforcement unions are not happy with Harris County DA Pat Lykos. Leaders of six Harris County police organizations Tuesday announced a vote of no confidence in District Attorney Pat Lykos, saying she has “shirked her duty” and has … Continue reading →

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We haven’t forgotten Manuel Rodriguez

Posted on December 1, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Neil has the details of a planned protest to call for the resignation of HISD Trustee Manuel Rodriguez at the next HISD Board meeting on December 8. Click over to see the what, when, and where. It occurs to me … Continue reading →

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CD35 will still have a contested primary

Posted on December 1, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

It won’t be Doggett versus Castro but it still ought to be interesting. The battle for a newly drawn congressional district will pit two seasoned Democratic politicians against one another: Bexar County Tax Assessor-Collector Sylvia S. Romo and former U.S. … Continue reading →

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Texas blog roundup for the week of November 28

Posted on December 1, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

The Texas Progressive Alliance welcomes the opening of candidate filing season (SCOTUS willing) as it brings you this week’s roundup. Noted “redistricting analyst” Off the Kuff analyzed the new court-drawn Congressional map. Lightseeker takes on the question of where OWL … Continue reading →

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