Row Over Brick Row - Round 2

Recently, I blogged about the request by the developers of Brick Row to make some changes in the planned mix of apartments and condos in this mixed-use, transit-oriented development under construction near the Spring Valley DART light rail station. I said that although I didn't have strong feeling on the issue, I was inclined to support the change in plans. I even wondered (partly tongue-in-cheek) whether I was turning libertarian, in that I couldn't convince myself that the rest of Richardson should be telling a landowner how many apartments and how many condos he should be building on his own land.

My blog post elicited a long and thoughtful email from a reader. After the jump, with her permission, the view from a neighbor in Highland Terrace.

OTBR: Wild Raspberries In Estonia

Latitude: 58.311400° N
Longitude: 22.205400° E

A child on a road trip with his family asks, "Where are we?" and the father answers, "Let's check the map. We're off the blue roads [the Interstate Highways marked in blue on the road atlas]. We're off the red roads [the US and state highways]. We're off the black roads [the county highways]. I think we're off the map altogether." It was always my dream to be off the map altogether.

After the jump, a few of the random places (and I mean random literally) that I visited vicariously last month that are "off the blue roads".

Row Over Brick Row

Developers of Brick Row want to convert 300 unsold condos into apartments. You can imagine how that's going over with the crowd that never even wanted condos there, to say nothing of apartments (or any place else in Richardson, for that matter).

Me? I'm inclined to support the request. After the jump, why.

A Zoo Story

... in pictures.

From 2010 09 Dallas Zoo

To see all photos, click here.

Twitter Tracks: Heat Wave, Iraq, Football

Twitter tracks from August, 2010:

• 2010 08 01 - Texans discussing weather: Him: "It sure is hot today." Her: "It's only 99."
• 2010 08 02 - Headline: "Lindsay Lohan released from jail, goes to rehab." What, is that the name of some new trendy LA nightclub?
• 2010 08 03 - News coincidence: Brett Favre says he's quitting football for the 3rd time. Same day, Bristol Palin says she's quitting Levi for 2nd time.
• 2010 08 03 - You Can't Take It With You: Quirky 1938 Oscar-winning Frank Capra comedy. Tired of "It's a Wonderful Life?" Try this for the swellest time.
• 2010 08 04 - Headline: "Google Bails on Wave" http://goo.gl/q3o3. Sometimes, my procrastination in picking up a new tool saves me time in the end.
• 2010 08 04 - Cheering for today's Prop 8 ruling will be short. This SCOTUS won't uphold any ruling based on due process and equal protection clauses.
• 2010 08 05 - Mark's Stylebook: When a column isn't worth the paper to print it, feature it online as a "Web Exclusive"
• 2010 08 06 - Earmarks are "a symbol of a broken Washington." -- Pete Sessions. His own contribution to breaking DC? $50,965,500. http://goo.gl/KrEZ
• 2010 08 06 - I correctly answered 11 out of the 11 possible questions, on the Pew News IQ Quiz! http://pewrsr.ch/9U8jNF

After the jump, more Twitter tracks.

JJ Pearce Under The Friday Night Lights

From 2010 Football

The JJ Pearce Mustangs lost to the Irving Nimitz Vikings 35-31 Friday night at Eagle-Mustang Stadium.

For a complete look at all the activity, including game, bands, drill teams and cheerleaders, look here.

Surprise And Disappointment In House District 102

Not really. More like politics as usual in the election campaign for Texas House District 102 (representing part of north Dallas and part of Garland). Gromer Jeffers, in The Dallas Morning News, says challenger Stefani Carter makes a "misleading charge that state Rep. Carol Kent improperly took state housing reimbursements."

After the jump, Jeffers explains why the charge is misleading.

Traffic Woes

Have you ever thought that the traffic on US 75 couldn't get any worse? Does the fact that the HOV lane has no entrance/exit for Richardson bug you? How about those red light cameras? Did you ever wonder if there are parking meters anywhere in Richardson and, if not, why not?

After the jump, traffic news from around the state and beyond.

Richardson's Taj Mahal

Arlington has its Cowboys Stadium, a billion dollar pleasure dome funded in part by local sales tax. Allen will soon have its $59 million, 18,000 seat stadium for its high school, funded entirely by ISD taxpayers. Garland has its $31 million, 7,000 seat Special Events Center, funded by ISD taxpayers.

Richardson has new softball fields at Huffhines Park. One resident calls the complex a Taj Mahal because the grounds were graded for better drainage and the railings on the outfield fences are padded. A softball field with pads - Richardson's own Taj Mahal. Once again, open mike night at Richardson city council meetings doesn't let us down.

83 And Under

The Health Department of the City of Richardson conducts inspections of restaurants on a regular basis. The department publishes the results for all to see. According to the city, "Scores are based on a scale of zero to 100. A score of 90 to 100 is excellent; 80 to 89 is good; 70 to 79 is acceptable; and 60 to 69 is marginal." It's rare for any restaurant to be scored below "acceptable." Most are good or even excellent. Many achieve a perfect 100 score.

After the jump, a list of under achievers.