Council Recap: Public Money for Private Property

Source: Google Street View.

On November 2, 2026, the Richardson City Council approved a change to the City's Matching Fund Beautification Program that will allow the City to give public tax money to private HOAs to make improvements on their private property. Monday's action followed up the Council's June 22 discussion of a request by the Knolls at Breckinridge HOA for matching funds to repair their HOA's entry that was damaged by a car accident. Spoiler alert: the Council instructed staff to find a way to meet the private HOA's request for $30,000.

Council Recap: Legislative Agenda

Source: City of Richardson.

On October 26, 2026, the Richardson City Council reviewed and discussed a draft legislative agenda for the upcoming 90th Texas Legislature. The good news is that the City remained committed to opposing the gradual whittling away of Richardson's home rule authority by recent legislative sessions. The better news is that what was reviewed was only a draft. A final legislative agenda is to be placed on a future Council agenda for consideration and approval. The seismic change in Austin (and Washington) resulting from the election offers opportunities that haven't existed in decades. Richardson needs to press their advantage.

POTD: Port Cellar in Porto

From 2026 01 03 Pinhão, Mateus, Quintã, Porto

Today's photo-of-the-day is from Porto, Portugal. According to Wikipedia, "Port wine, one of Portugal's most famous exports, is named after Porto, as the metropolitan area, and in particular the cellars of Vila Nova de Gaia, were responsible for the packaging, transport, and export of fortified wine."

Bonus photo after the jump.

POTD: Tuna Concert

From 2026 01 03 Pinhão, Mateus, Quintã, Porto

A tuna in Portugal is not a fish, but rather a traditional musical group made up of university students who wear black academic capes and play folk instruments. "The tradition originated in Spain and Portugal in the 13th century as a means of students to earn money or food. Nowadays students...seek to keep a tradition alive, for fun, to travel a lot and to meet new people from other universities." Ellen participated in a tuna concert on a river cruise on the Douro River in Portugal.

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"Capes swirl as they play.
Guitar music fills the night.
Portugal sings on."
— h/t ChatGPT

Texas Election Results

h/t: ChatGPT

Sen. Ted Cruz, last statewide Republican left in office, looking relieved that he wasn't on the ballot this year.

Nixon Redux

h/t: ChatGPT

The 2026 GOP wipeout is comparable to the historic GOP wipeout after Watergate. That's right, Trump has led the GOP into Nixon territory. Why should anyone be surprised?

Council Recap: The Fierce Urgency of Now

Credit: Mark Steger

On November 2, 2026, the Richardson City Council discussed conducting a feasibility study for restarting the Richardson Mayor's Summer Internship Program (RMSIP).

POTD: Palácio de Mateus

From 2026 01 03 Pinhão, Mateus, Quintã, Porto

The Palácio de Mateus is a palace located on the Douro River in Portugal. The winery buildings date from the 16th century. The palace dates from the mid-18th century. The palace is owned by the Mateus Foundation and gives its name to the Mateus rosé wine brand, which, in a surprise to me, was only developed at the end of World War II, styled to appeal to the North American and northern European markets.

Bonus photo after the jump.

POTD: Douro Vineyards at Rest

From 2026 01 03 Pinhão, Mateus, Quintã, Porto

Today's photo-of-the-day is from Croft Port's estate, Quinta da Roêda, in Pinhão, Portugal, in the heart of the Douro Valley. It's winter, so the fields are dormant. But a large renovated historic building now serves as a tasting room and restaurant. Our visit in early January was warm and memorable.

Bonus photo after the jump.

Mercy (2026)

Rotten Tomatoes

Mercy (2026): Chris Pratt plays an alcoholic detective who wakes up after a night of drinking unable to remember the previous night, but he's on trial for murder. Oh yeah, he's being tried by an AI and has to prove his innocence in 90 minutes. The premise is silly. It might work as a video game, but not as an action movie. C-

Prime