Angie Chen Button Draws a Primary Challenge

My state representative, Angie Chen Button (HD 112) has drawn a challenger in the 2014 GOP primary. It's Jared Patterson, a former Sachse city council member.

When I say Button is my representative, I use the word loosely. I can't recall any position she's taken where she represents me, but I don't hold that against her. I have that problem with most politicians.

Maybe Jared Patterson will be different. After the jump, I give him a look-see.

Big Lake Break

Once again we spent our summer vacation at the cottage on Big Lake, Shawano County, Wisconsin. Once again words escape me (me!?!) and I turn to images:

From 2013 06 Wisconsin

More photos after the jump.

Saying No to Walmart

After months of speculation, Walmart officials have decided to move forward with the construction of a 90,000 square foot Walmart Supercenter in the northwest corner of Coit Rd and Arapaho Rd. The location is in Dallas just across the street from Richardson. Because of how the property was zoned, Walmart did not need to seek any approval from the City of Dallas to build there. A neighborhood grassroots opposition movement was unable to convince Walmart not to build there.

The City of Richardson was a spectator to this drama, but didn't waste any time to take action to make sure history doesn't repeat itself in Richardson. On the Richardson City Council agenda for its meeting July 22, 2013 was the following item. Call it the "Say No to Walmart Amendment."

PUBLIC HEARING, ZONING FILE 13 - 12 AND CONSIDER ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 4013, AMENDING THE COMPREHENSIVE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF RICHARDSON, AS HERETOFORE AMENDED, BY AMENDING THE COMPREHENSIVE ZONING ORDINANCE (APPENDIX A), ARTICLE I, SECTION 2, DEFINITIONS, BY ADDING THE DEFINITION OF LARGE SCALE RETAIL STORE AND BY AMENDING ARTICLE XXII - A, SECTION 2, SPECIAL PERMITS, TO ALLOW LARGE SCALE RETAIL STORES UPON APPROVAL OF A SPECIAL PERMIT IN NON-RESIDENTIAL ZONING DISTRICTS.

Source: City of Richardson.

The amendment to the zoning ordinances passed 7-0.

After the jump, my thoughts.

Cherry Blossoms (2008)

IMDB

Cherry Blossoms (2008): Aging German couple estranged from their adult children, dream of visiting Fuji. A story of late-blooming love. A-

S2L77: Partying Among the Taliban

From 1977 03 17 Pakistan

That photo above was taken in Pakistan, in the heart of Taliban country. Obviously, it demands explanation (and probably my apology). After the jump, I take my share of responsibility for the whole bloody mess that whole part of the world has become.

Richardson is "Running with the Big Dogs"

The Dallas Morning News published an editorial in which it described Richardson as "cruising on a massive dose of adrenaline." Specifically it highlighted the superlatives of the real estate development underway at the Bush Turnpike and Central Expressway.

Go ahead and read the editorial, then come back here for my thoughts ... after the jump.

Why I Oppose Stricter Voter ID Laws

I don't believe we as a nation should tolerate voter fraud. Neither should we tolerate voter suppression. But what if pursuing the former increases the latter? I'm convinced that is the case, intentionally or not. The balance is not even close. That's the sticking point for me, leading me to oppose the strict new voter ID laws many states are passing, including Texas.

Details after the jump.

Pulp Fiction (1994)

IMDB

Pulp Fiction (1994): Finally watched, after 19 yrs on to-do list. Classic Tarantino. Over the top violence. Part homage, part invention. A-

Like a Good Neighbor...hood name

What's in a name? that which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet;

Source: William Shakespeare.

Maybe that's true for roses, but it's not true for real estate. In real estate, names matter. A University of Georgia study says home buyers will pay more when a development has the word "country" in the name. A good neighborhood name can command a higher price than a good neighborhood school can.

So what about no name at all? For the last few years, I've been calling all that vacant land at Bush Turnpike and US 75, well, "all that vacant land at Bush Turnpike and US 75." After the jump, the curious case of the lack of a name for this development.

Spamalot, at RCT

Repertory Company Theater

Spamalot, at RCT: A spoof of a spoof of Camelot. Richardson production. Crams a lot of singing/dancing/laughter on a small stage. Great fun.