Monthly Archives: December 2013

Friday random ten: That’s novel

Posted on December 13, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

How about novelty songs, along the lines of Existential Blues? Just silly songs like what Dr. Demento used to feature, occosionally parodies or filk but mostly original works of whimsy. Here are ten of mine: 1. Shaving Cream – Benny … Continue reading →

Posted in Music | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

Final EV totals

Posted on December 13, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

Here’s the final Harris County EV tally for the 2013 runoff, and here’s how the numbers stack up against the four most recent citywide runoff elections that did not include a Mayoral race. Year Absent Early E-Day Total Absent% Early% … Continue reading →

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At Large #2 runoff overview

Posted on December 13, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

One of these runoffs is not like the others. On paper, the Houston City Council incumbent most at risk heading into Saturday’s runoff elections is first-termer Andrew Burks, in At-Large Position 2. Challenger David Robinson had spent more than $201,000 … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2013 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

The Dome’s status is complicated

Posted on December 13, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

Is it a landmark or not? If so, what kind? Mayor Annise Parker this week called an effort by the city historical commission to designate the Harris County-owned Astrodome a city landmark “ill-advised,” and said she had no plans to … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

We still need to do more to protect bike riders

Posted on December 13, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

The story of Chelsea Norman just breaks my heart. They call it the “ghost bike.” It is painted completely white, even the tires, and chained to a street post in Montrose. The shrine near West Gray and Waugh marks where … Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Runoff 8 Day Finance Reports

Posted on December 12, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

I did not get to looking at the 8 day finance reports for the November election – too many candidates, not enough time. But there was no reason I couldn’t take a gander at the 8 day reports for the … Continue reading →

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At Large #3 runoff overview

Posted on December 12, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron moves on to At Large #3, and unlike the other two previews there are new things to learn about the candidates involved. Mayor Annise Parker could be the biggest loser in the runoff race for the At Large … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2013 | Tagged , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Judge Pratt update

Posted on December 12, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

The most embattled Family Court judge in Harris County is still on the ballot, in case you were wondering. Embattled state District Court Judge Denise Pratt, accused of falsifying court records to cover up tardy rulings, intends to remain on … Continue reading →

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Texas blog roundup for the week of December 9

Posted on December 12, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

The Texas Progressive Alliance is doing its best to stay warm as it brings you this week’s roundup.

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Lehmberg beats the rap

Posted on December 12, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

Good for her. District Attorney Rosemary Lehmberg will remain in her position as the top felony prosecutor in Travis County, visiting Judge David Peeples ruled Wednesday. Lehmberg hugged her supporters in the courtroom after the decision was read, shedding tears. … Continue reading →

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

More primary thoughts

Posted on December 11, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

I wonder if Big John Cornyn will come to rue this interview. BDS: At the kickoff for your reelection campaign in November, Governor Perry said that you are “the epitome of what I look for in a U.S. senator.” He … Continue reading →

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District D runoff overview

Posted on December 11, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

Clearly, it’s Runoff Overview Week at the Chron. Whittled down from 12 candidates to two last month, the Houston City Council District D race is a David-and-Goliath runoff. Towering Dwight Boykins, 50, narrowly missed clinching the general election outright with … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2013 | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The oldest established permanent floating ethics probe in the state

Posted on December 11, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

The Chief Justice of our State Supreme Court, ladies and gentlemen. Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice Nathan Hecht, already the longest-serving member of the state’s highest civil court, has the dubious distinction of owning another record: the longest running appeal … Continue reading →

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Lehmberg civil trial this week

Posted on December 11, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

I’d almost forgotten about this. Travis County District Attorney Rosemary Lehmberg heads to court this week as a defendant in a civil trial that could result in her ouster from office. The trial, set to start Monday in Austin before … Continue reading →

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Final filings: We have a statewide Democrat

Posted on December 10, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

Boy, I didn’t see this coming. Longtime Texas Court of Criminal Appeals Judge Lawrence “Larry” Meyers announced Monday that he is leaving the Republican Party to run as a Democrat for the Texas Supreme Court. Meyers, of Fort Worth, filed … Continue reading →

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District A runoff overview

Posted on December 10, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

It’s the same old story, just a little louder this time. Three years ago, when city voters narrowly approved what would become a controversial monthly drainage fee to fund $8 billion of street and flood projects in the next two … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2013 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Evaluating the strip club settlement

Posted on December 10, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

Some interesting feedback on the city’s recent legal settlement with area strip clubs. South Texas College of Law professor Matthew Festa said the payments are not his central concern, noting cities often condition building permits on a business planting trees … Continue reading →

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Hall calls for Torre, Cox, and LaRussa

Posted on December 10, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

Congratulations to the newest members of the Hall of Fame. The first wave of inductees for the 2014 Baseball Hall of Fame class have been announced. The Veteran’s Committee has decided to induct managers Joe Torre, Bobby Cox, and Tony … Continue reading →

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Last day of runoff early voting

Posted on December 10, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

From the inbox: “Tuesday, December 10th is the last day of Early voting for the City of Houston and Houston Community College System Runoff Election,” noted Harris County Clerk and Chief Election Official, Stan Stanart today as he urged voters … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2013 | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Filing deadline today

Posted on December 9, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

Before I get into the details of who has or hasn’t filed for what, I have a bone to pick with this AP story. Perhaps what the candidate filings reveal most is the relative strength and depth of the political … Continue reading →

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Abbott’s CPRIT problem

Posted on December 9, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

Expect to hear a lot about this. A Travis County grand jury has indicted Jerry Cobbs, a former high-ranking official with the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas, on charges that he unlawfully secured the execution of an $11 … Continue reading →

Posted in Show Business for Ugly People | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Grier editorializes for HISD policy change on school mascots and nicknames

Posted on December 9, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

Here’s HISD Superintendent Terry Grier’s op-ed in the Chron about the likely forthcoming change in HISD policy on school mascots and nicknames. HISD must retire, respectfully, school symbols that no longer reflect the values of who we are – proudly … Continue reading →

Posted in School days | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Ted Cruz argues against his own election

Posted on December 9, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I just don’t get this. Sen. Ted Cruz, elected 13 months ago by actual voters, said Thursday he’d prefer to see state legislators pick U.S. senators – as they were until … Continue reading →

Posted in National news | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Weekend link dump for December 8

Posted on December 8, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

Some handy recipes for your next Thanksgiving. Meet your very early Presidential candidates for 2016. They all have a better chance of being elected than Rudy Giuliani did at this point in the 2008 cycle. Santa Claus, Bigfoot, and job … Continue reading →

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It’s still Gene Green’s world

Posted on December 8, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

I have three things to say about this story about Rep. Gene Green. The affable, low-key former printer’s apprentice is a legend across his gritty, blue-collar domain along the 54-mile Houston Ship Channel, where he represents the most heavily Hispanic … Continue reading →

Posted in Show Business for Ugly People | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

HISD to take action on “Redskins” nickname

Posted on December 8, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

Good for them. Houston school district officials, plunging into a national controversy, are considering a policy change that would ban mascot names that might play on racial, ethnic or cultural stereotypes. Houston Independent School District Superintendent Terry Grier is expected … Continue reading →

Posted in Other sports | Tagged , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Austin B-Cycle coming

Posted on December 8, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

Took ’em long enough. Service will launch Dec. 21 with 110 bikes and 11 stations, including one sponsored by the Chronicle. The full project will be completed by March 1, 2014, with expanded stations planned to service the UT-Austin campus, … Continue reading →

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Saturday video break: Existential Blues

Posted on December 7, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

Just because, that’s why. I’ve actually been to Butte, Montana. It was back in 1996, while in the Copper State for my brother’s wedding, which was held in Missoula. Much of the extended family was there for several days, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Music | Tagged | 1 Comment

Susan Criss to file in HD23

Posted on December 7, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

Some excellent news from the inbox, via Carl Whitmarsh: For fifteen years I was honored to wear a black robe for the people of Galveston County. Four times I raised my hand and swore, so help me God, to faithfully … Continue reading →

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Ashby trial update

Posted on December 7, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

We’re more than two weeks into the Ashby highrise lawsuit trial, and the defense is now presenting its case. Let’s check in on them, shall we? One of the developers hoping to build a high-rise near Rice University made a … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Texas Monthly on transgender marriage in Texas

Posted on December 7, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

It’s way more complicated than it needs to be. Here’s a stumper: Is it legal for a transgender person—say, someone whose original birth certificate says “male,” but who identifies as a woman—to get married to a man who identifies as … Continue reading →

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

Friday random ten: Five, six, seven, eight…

Posted on December 6, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

So tomorrow the Rice Owls will play the Marshall Thundering Herd at Historic Rice Stadium in the Conference USA championship game (noon EST, 11 AM CST, ESPN2, check local listings), and I’ll be there in the stands with the Rice … Continue reading →

Posted in Music | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Runoff voting is underway

Posted on December 6, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

So early voting is underway for the City of Houston and HCC runoffs. Day One totals are here, and Campos ponders their locations. I’ll take a crack at projecting turnout once the EV totals are in, but if you don’t … Continue reading →

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Maxey Scherr kicks off her campaign

Posted on December 6, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

From the inbox: Maxey Scherr, an El Paso attorney, officially kicked-off her campaign for United States Senate today with a web video and event over a hundred supporters in El Paso. Scherr is vying to be the first person from … Continue reading →

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