Monthly Archives: March 2009

The World Cup in Houston?

Posted on March 15, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

This would be very cool. As they prepare to host CONCACAF Gold Cup matches at Reliant Stadium for a third consecutive tournament edition July 9, the folks at Lone Star Sports and Entertainment are busy thinking big — really big. … Continue reading →

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The World Cup in Houston?

Posted on March 15, 2009 by Greg Wythe

This would be very cool. As they prepare to host CONCACAF Gold Cup matches at Reliant Stadium for a third consecutive tournament edition July 9, the folks at Lone Star Sports and Entertainment are busy thinking big — really big. … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Other sports | 2 Comments

“Strengths and weaknesses” rears its head again

Posted on March 15, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

I know we thought that the current round of anti-evolutionism was in remission once the effort to change the science textbooks by the State Board of Education fell short. Sadly, these things never truly go away, and where the SBOE … Continue reading →

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“Strengths and weaknesses” rears its head again

Posted on March 15, 2009 by Greg Wythe

I know we thought that the current round of anti-evolutionism was in remission once the effort to change the science textbooks by the State Board of Education fell short. Sadly, these things never truly go away, and where the SBOE … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Comments Off on “Strengths and weaknesses” rears its head again

Green clean

Posted on March 15, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

This is amazing. It’s a kitchen degreaser. It’s a window cleaner. It kills athlete’s foot. Oh, and you can drink it. Sounds like the old “Saturday Night Live” gag for Shimmer, the faux floor polish plugged by Gilda Radner. But … Continue reading →

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Green clean

Posted on March 15, 2009 by Greg Wythe

This is amazing. It’s a kitchen degreaser. It’s a window cleaner. It kills athlete’s foot. Oh, and you can drink it. Sounds like the old “Saturday Night Live” gag for Shimmer, the faux floor polish plugged by Gilda Radner. But … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Technology, science, and math | 1 Comment

Your weekend moment of Zen

Posted on March 14, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Via Mark Evanier, the opening number from The Music Man as performed on a subway by students from Boston University. Try doing that on the Katy Freeway. And if you’re feeling a little bluesy instead of show-tunesy, here’s a bonus … Continue reading →

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Your weekend moment of Zen

Posted on March 14, 2009 by Greg Wythe

Via Mark Evanier, the opening number from The Music Man as performed on a subway by students from Boston University. Try doing that on the Katy Freeway. And if you’re feeling a little bluesy instead of show-tunesy, here’s a bonus … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Music | 1 Comment

No service for gays

Posted on March 14, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

I’d heard bits about this last night on Twitter, but via an email from Carl Whitmarsh I’ve learned the details of a nasty little incident. The following is a press release from the Houston GLBT Political Caucus: Nearly 100 gay, … Continue reading →

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No service for gays

Posted on March 14, 2009 by Greg Wythe

I’d heard bits about this last night on Twitter, but via an email from Carl Whitmarsh I’ve learned the details of a nasty little incident. The following is a press release from the Houston GLBT Political Caucus: Nearly 100 gay, … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | 4 Comments

Parker versus Perry

Posted on March 14, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

I like this. Houston City Controller Annise Parker sharply criticized Texas Governor Rick Perry today for rejecting $555 million in federal stimulus money that would have funded unemployment benefits for out-of-work Texans. “In January alone, more than 65,000 Houstonians were … Continue reading →

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Parker versus Perry

Posted on March 14, 2009 by Greg Wythe

I like this. Houston City Controller Annise Parker sharply criticized Texas Governor Rick Perry today for rejecting $555 million in federal stimulus money that would have funded unemployment benefits for out-of-work Texans. “In January alone, more than 65,000 Houstonians were … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | 2 Comments

Them’s good eatin’

Posted on March 14, 2009 by Greg Wythe

Harris County Commissioner Steve Radack has an idea. Harris County Commissioner Steve Radack has a problem with hungry hogs. Houston has a problem with hungry people. If Radack gets his way, hundreds of pounds of pork soon could be hitting … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Food, glorious food, Local politics | 1 Comment

Them’s good eatin’

Posted on March 14, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Harris County Commissioner Steve Radack has an idea. Harris County Commissioner Steve Radack has a problem with hungry hogs. Houston has a problem with hungry people. If Radack gets his way, hundreds of pounds of pork soon could be hitting … Continue reading →

Posted in Food, glorious food, Local politics | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The dentist in charge

Posted on March 14, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

The Statesman has a profile of Don McLeroy, the young-earth creationist who is also the chair of the State Board of Education and who is currently leading the fight to cripple science education in Texas. I’m not going to get … Continue reading →

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The dentist in charge

Posted on March 14, 2009 by Greg Wythe

The Statesman has a profile of Don McLeroy, the young-earth creationist who is also the chair of the State Board of Education and who is currently leading the fight to cripple science education in Texas. I’m not going to get … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Show Business for Ugly People | Comments Off on The dentist in charge

Friday random ten: Special guest star edition

Posted on March 13, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Today’s Friday random ten comes courtesy of Alan Bernstein. Take it away, Alan! 1. 1985 — Bowling For Soup 2. Chain Reaction — Joe Sample 3. Autumn In New York — Harry Connick 4. Thrill Of It — Robert Randolph … Continue reading →

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Friday random ten: Special guest star edition

Posted on March 13, 2009 by Greg Wythe

Today’s Friday random ten comes courtesy of Alan Bernstein. Take it away, Alan! 1. 1985 — Bowling For Soup 2. Chain Reaction — Joe Sample 3. Autumn In New York — Harry Connick 4. Thrill Of It — Robert Randolph … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Music | Comments Off on Friday random ten: Special guest star edition

Who will be affected by voter ID?

Posted on March 13, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Let’s take a moment as we wait for the next round in the voter ID battle to consider who might actually have their right to vote affected by this unneeded piece of partisan legislation. Meet Bessie Jenkins Foster. The 98-year-old … Continue reading →

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Who will be affected by voter ID?

Posted on March 13, 2009 by Greg Wythe

Let’s take a moment as we wait for the next round in the voter ID battle to consider who might actually have their right to vote affected by this unneeded piece of partisan legislation. Meet Bessie Jenkins Foster. The 98-year-old … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | 3 Comments

On DNA testing and innocence

Posted on March 13, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

I’m glad to hear that District Attorney Pat Lykos is going to examine cases of wrongful conviction in Harris County. I’m sure there are plenty more than the five she plans to highlight, but the fact that she wants to … Continue reading →

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

On DNA testing and innocence

Posted on March 13, 2009 by Greg Wythe

I’m glad to hear that District Attorney Pat Lykos is going to examine cases of wrongful conviction in Harris County. I’m sure there are plenty more than the five she plans to highlight, but the fact that she wants to … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | 1 Comment

For the money, I sure hope so

Posted on March 13, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

News flash: Travel times on the newly-expanded Katy Freeway have improved. The expansion of 23 miles of roadway along the Katy was completed in October. The $2.8 billion project took five years to complete and added 18 lanes between the … Continue reading →

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For the money, I sure hope so

Posted on March 13, 2009 by Greg Wythe

News flash: Travel times on the newly-expanded Katy Freeway have improved. The expansion of 23 miles of roadway along the Katy was completed in October. The $2.8 billion project took five years to complete and added 18 lanes between the … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | 1 Comment

Lege versus Gov on unemployment funds

Posted on March 12, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Showdown time. The House committee charged with recommending how to use the federal stimulus money does not see eye to eye with Gov. Rick Perry on the $555 million for unemployment insurance. In a 5 to 1 vote, the committee … Continue reading →

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Lege versus Gov on unemployment funds

Posted on March 12, 2009 by Greg Wythe

Showdown time. The House committee charged with recommending how to use the federal stimulus money does not see eye to eye with Gov. Rick Perry on the $555 million for unemployment insurance. In a 5 to 1 vote, the committee … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | Comments Off on Lege versus Gov on unemployment funds

Once more with the stimulus and unemployment insurance

Posted on March 12, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

By the way, the money that the state has in reserve for unemployment insurance is rapidly being depleted. Just so you know. [Tuesday], the Texas Workforce Commission announced that the unemployment trust fund is now expected to be almost depleted … Continue reading →

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Once more with the stimulus and unemployment insurance

Posted on March 12, 2009 by Greg Wythe

By the way, the money that the state has in reserve for unemployment insurance is rapidly being depleted. Just so you know. [Tuesday], the Texas Workforce Commission announced that the unemployment trust fund is now expected to be almost depleted … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | 1 Comment

Recycling reboot

Posted on March 12, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

The city of Houston is taking a crack at boosting participation in its curbside recycling program by making it easier to dispose of recyclables. The pilot program, to be announced by Mayor Bill White today, will be offered to about … Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Recycling reboot

Posted on March 12, 2009 by Greg Wythe

The city of Houston is taking a crack at boosting participation in its curbside recycling program by making it easier to dispose of recyclables. The pilot program, to be announced by Mayor Bill White today, will be offered to about … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | 2 Comments

Activist running in Farmers Branch

Posted on March 12, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Via Stace, I see that one of the leaders in the fight against xenophobia in Farmers Branch is a on the ballot for City Council there. Business owner and activist Elizabeth Villafranca [announced] her candidacy Monday afternoon. Villafranca, an outspoken … Continue reading →

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Activist running in Farmers Branch

Posted on March 12, 2009 by Greg Wythe

Via Stace, I see that one of the leaders in the fight against xenophobia in Farmers Branch is a on the ballot for City Council there. Business owner and activist Elizabeth Villafranca [announced] her candidacy Monday afternoon. Villafranca, an outspoken … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2009 | Comments Off on Activist running in Farmers Branch

There is a solution, you just don’t see it

Posted on March 12, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Sen. John Cornyn, apparently with some free time on his hands, takes his turn tackling the pernicious issue of Democrats winning judicial races – er, the problem of partisan judicial elections. I’ll give him credit for this much – he … Continue reading →

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There is a solution, you just don’t see it

Posted on March 12, 2009 by Greg Wythe

Sen. John Cornyn, apparently with some free time on his hands, takes his turn tackling the pernicious issue of Democrats winning judicial races – er, the problem of partisan judicial elections. I’ll give him credit for this much – he … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Show Business for Ugly People | 3 Comments