A Potential Problem in Denton Becomes Real

Mayor Laura Maczka:

One of the strengths that our city has is that we recognize potential problems before they become problems.

Source: neighborsgo Richardsone.

When I quoted the Richardson mayor last week, it was on the topic of farmers markets, which the city sees as a "potential problem," not an asset, and wishes to tangle in red tape. The city council has already devoted time in two meetings to look into how to restrict them. At least another meeting is needed for the council to formally adopt an ordinance. So, our city council is on top of this "potential problem."

All that set me to thinking (always dangerous). What other "potential problems" are out there that Richardson ought to be acting on before they become real problems? That's when I came across the city of Denton's clusterf*ck over gas drilling in residential neighborhoods (sorry, that's the word that came to mind, for obvious reasons). The story, after the jump.

RALC Murder Mystery in the Library

RALC "Anger Games": Who knew an ESL program would lead to MURDER? A great night of whodunnit, but I'll never feel safe in the library again.

Basketball Playoffs: Berkner 66, Rockwall 59

From 2014 02 21 Berkner vs Rockwall

The thrill of victory

Berkner and Rockwall met in the area round of the Texas UIL playoffs Friday night in a neutral site, the Allen High School gym. In the round two match-up between two of the top three scorers in the Dallas area, Rockwall's Austin Grandstaff came out on top of Berkner's Keenan Evans, 25 points to 16. But, in an overtime thriller, the Berkner Rams as a team outlasted Rockwall 66-59 for the win.

It's a great time to be a Ram!

More photos after the jump.

S2L77: Munich, Cologne and Heidelberg

Heidelberg
May 8, 1977
Walked through the Schloss Heidelberg and cobblestone streets, had a pizza and apple schnapps.

Source: Personal travel notes.

From 1977 05 06 Germany

1972 Olympic Stadium, Munich

Our last country on the continent before our destination in London was a rushed visit to Germany, including the site of the 1972 Olympics Summer Games in Munich... and a night at the Hofbräuhaus am Platzl which might account for the lack of other photos of Munich. The next day, we were on the road again. We had a stop for lunch in Cologne and a quick tour of the cathedral, followed by a final night in Heidelberg.

More photos after the jump.

Blue Jasmine (2013)

IMDB

Blue Jasmine (2013): Like winner of a "Bad Woody Allen Movie" contest. Artist is tapped dry. Cate Blanchett does most with weak script. C+

Basketball Playoffs: Berkner 41, Plano 39

Torey Everett and two impressed young fans

In a tense finish, the Berkner Rams men's basketball team held on for 41-39 victory over the Plano Wildcats Friday night at the Pearce gym. It was the first round of the Texas UIL playoffs. Win and play another day. Lose and go home.

With a minute left and the score tied, the Rams played for the last shot. With seven seconds to go, Keenan Evans, the lead scorer of the game with 19 points, drove to the basket, was fouled, and hit two clutch free throws to give Berkner a 41-39 lead. Then at the other end of the court, a blocked shot with less than a second to go protected the lead. Finally, an inbounds pass under the basket was tipped harmlessly away at the buzzer to seal the win. Exhale. Fittingly, it was tight defense in the end, as throughout the whole game, that won the game for the Rams.

It's a great time to be a Ram!

Nipping Potential Problems in the Bud

Mayor Laura Maczka:

One of the strengths that our city has is that we recognize potential problems before they become problems.

Source: neighborsgo Richardson.

The Richardson city council is always on the lookout to nip potential problems in the bud. Or seed. Or pod. Or whatever.

What's the potential problem this time? The answer, after the jump.

Let's Bury Power Lines. No Let's Don't.

After the December ice storm in Richardson, when whole neighborhoods were without power for hours or even days, one lonely person on Facebook repeatedly posted a status update along the lines of "Let's bury our power lines." He was quickly dismissed with answers along the lines of "It's too expensive."

Well, now that it's the southeast and east coast who are dealing with an ice storm, the question is resurfacing there. After the jump, the pros and cons.

S2L77: Innsbruck and Salzburg

From 1977 05 04 Austria

With the XXII Olympic Winter Games going on in Sochi, it's a nice coincidence that the next waypoint to revisit from my 1977 route from Singapore to London happens to be Innsbruck, site of the XII Olympic Winter Games in 1976. The Olympics were over by the time I got there, but the spirit remained. I also visited Salzburg. Good places. Good times.

More photos after the jump.

Stefani Carter's Terrible Accident

First a confession. When I reported on the District 112 candidate forum, I buried the lede. No, that's not it. I missed the story altogether. Yeah, I showed why I am not getting paid for this.

I never mentioned Stefani Carter's opening remarks where she informed the forum audience that she had recently suffered a "terrible accident" that triggered a "moment of truth when you feel like your life could end." Turning to retired Captain Sam Brown, who actually did suffer exactly that, Carter said "I know that our colleague here, Sam Brown, understands that." In 2008, in Afghanistan, an IED blew up near Brown, burning much of his body. To this day Brown bears disfiguring scars on his face and head (and elsewhere, less visibly). Then Carter moved on, sounding extremely conservative and ambitious, pretty much like she has always sounded, pre-life-altering event.

I may have missed the story, but professional journalists Tim Rogers of D Magazine and then Tom Benning of The Dallas Morning News didn't. After the jump, catching you all up on what I should have caught.