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| From 2025 12 27 Lisbon |
Today's photo-of-the-day is from Lisbon, Portugal, first stop on our New Year's trip this year whose highlight was a river cruise of Portugal's Douro River.
Richardson Mayor Amir Omar held a town hall meeting at Communion Coworking & Event Venue on August 5, 2026. He answered a lot of questions in two hours. I'm extracting topics, one at a time. Below is ChatGPT's summary of the mayor's town hall remarks on one topic.
Richardson Mayor Amir Omar held a town hall meeting at Communion Coworking & Event Venue on August 5, 2026. He answered a lot of questions in two hours. I'm extracting topics, one at a time. Below is ChatGPT's summary of the mayor's town hall remarks on one topic.
Richardson Mayor Amir Omar held a town hall meeting at Communion Coworking & Event Venue on August 5, 2026. He answered a lot of questions in two hours. I'm extracting topics, one at a time. Below is ChatGPT's summary of the mayor's town hall remarks on one topic.
The Richardson City Council has to fill a vacancy on the Council caused by the resignation of Council Member Dan Barrios. There were thirteen applications. On August 17, 2026, the Council reduced the applicant count by five based on their written applications and whatever Council Members could find on Facebook or Google or elsewhere online, without giving the applicants a chance to rebut or explain what Council Members found online about them.
The argument for doing this is that it leaves more time for Q&A with the remaining eight applicants. The argument against is that all applicants deserve a chance to speak to the Council in person. Otherwise, the Council might unwittingly cut some excellent applicants. That's the argument I presented in "Council Recap: Thirteen Good Men and Women". The majority of the Council didn't listen to me, so what's new?
Richardson Mayor Amir Omar held a town hall meeting at Communion Coworking & Event Venue on August 5, 2026. He answered a lot of questions in two hours. I'm extracting topics, one at a time. Below is ChatGPT's summary of the mayor's town hall remarks on one topic.
Richardson Mayor Amir Omar held a town hall meeting at Communion Coworking & Event Venue on August 5, 2026. He answered a lot of questions in two hours. I'm extracting topics, one at a time. Below is ChatGPT's summary of the mayor's town hall remarks on one topic.
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| From 2025 09 22 Samarkand |
Today's photo-of-the-day is of miscellany from Uzbekistan. First, a sign for a public restroom. Next, a fast food place. Last, a common sight along the highways — storks nesting on power poles, chimneys, or any tall extension offering safety for nests.
Bonus photos are after the jump.
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| From 2025 09 22 Samarkand |
Today's photo-of-the-day is of the Shah-i-Zindi Necropolis in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. According to Wikipedia, the Shah-i-Zinda complex was formed over eight centuries, starting in the 11th century, and includes more than twenty mausoleums and other ritual buildings. "The name Shah-i-Zinda is connected with the legend that Qutham ibn Abbas, a cousin of Muhammad, is buried here. He came to Samarkand with the Arab invasion in the 7th century to preach Islam. According to one legend, he was decapitated during prayer, picked up his severed head, and walked to the deep well known as the Garden of Paradise, where he resides to this day."
Well, OK then. It's an impressive cemetery even without the legend.
A bonus photo is after the jump.
The Richardson City Charter imposes on the City Council a daunting task — filling a vacancy on the Council. Council Member Dan Barrios resigned and the remaining Council members are required to appoint his successor. Here's the schedule the Council adopted:
| Application Period | Jul 22 - Aug 7 |
| Public Release of Applicant List | Aug 11 |
| Council Review of Applications | Aug 11-16 |
| Council Selects Applicants to be Interviewed | Aug 17 |
| Council Conducts Applicant Interviews | Aug 24 |
| Council Announces a Maximum of 3 Finalists | Sep 14 |
| Council Conducts Finalists Interviews/Identifies Lone Finalist | Sep 21 |
| Council Vote on Appointment, Swearing-In | Sep 28 |
