City Council Waits for a Sign

The bug infestation shows no sign of being exterminated. In fact, the big bug is being catered to. In 2013, it was AutoNation VW asking for a zoning change to allow them to expand their auto dealership in Richardson's Interurban District ("Lemon"). The City Council complied. For some reason, AutoNation didn't go through with their plans, but in 2022, the dealership, now Clay Cooley VW, was back again, asking for approval to expand the car dealership. Again the City Council complied. Now in 2024, Clay Cooley VW is back yet again, this time with two different requests. On August 12, the City Council will hear a request for Clay Cooley VW to add a repair shop, a body shop, and a vehicle storage lot on the property. Separately, they are asking for a variance on the height of their business sign, wanting to erect a 39 foot pole sign, despite an ordinance limiting pole signs to 20 feet.

Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (2024)

Rotten Tomatoes

Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (2024): Comedy requires novelty to elicit laughter. There's a new family living in the fire station, but they get overshadowed by the original characters who are still around, too, making for a too-crowded movie. Show your kids the original instead. D+

Netflix

City Council Lays an Egg

The World War I poster proclaims: "Uncle Sam expects you to keep hens and raise chickens...In time of peace a profitable recreation; in time of war a patriotic duty."

A century later, the Richardson City Council spent over an hour discussing updating the City's animal ordinances, much of the time spent on setting a limit on how many chickens one household can keep.

POTD: Beach Tricks

"Casablanca's shore,
In the air, a fleeting flip,
A moment to soar."
— h/t ChatGPT

From 2023 09 22 Casablanca

Today's photo-of-the-day is from the Atlantic Ocean beach in Casablanca, Morocco. Just a young man doing a back flip in the sand. That is all.

POTD: Palm Grove of Marrakesh

"The camel has a single hump;
The dromedary, two;
Or else the other way around.
I'm never sure. Are you?"
— Ogden Nash

From 2023 09 20 Marrakesh

Today's photo-of-the-day is from the Palm Grove of Marrakesh, Morocco, which dates back more than 1,000 years. The grove is "a palm oasis of several hundred thousand trees outside of Marrakesh, Morocco. Situated at the edge of the city's northern section, it measures 5 miles (8.0 km) in length, and covers an area of 54 square miles (140 km2). It is known for its eponymous palm trees and resorts and camel rides."

In case it's not obvious, that's "L" ahead of me on a camel ride in the desert.

Ripley (TV 2024)

Rotten Tomatoes

Ripley (TV 2024): Crime story set in Italy in 1961. A grifter hired to convince a rich man's son to return to the US instead cons him for money. The film noir look (moody B&W shots of moonlight, stairs, water, blood, and a cat) make this a stylish thriller, but with a plot that strains credulity. B+

Netflix

The Signal (TV 2024)

Rotten Tomatoes

The Signal (TV 2024): Germany. Astronaut picks up signal from aliens. Governments want it kept secret, making her and her family targets. The best part is the family drama. The worst parts are the lack of believable explanations for the govt response and for the aliens themselves. C+

Netflix

The Worst Places to Eat in Richardson Last Month

Graphic by City of Richardson.

The City of Richardson is rightly regarded as having some of the best, most diverse, dining options in north Texas ("Eat & Drink"). Feeling a bit like "Opposite Man," I thought I'd offer a list of the ten worst places to eat in Richardson this month. It's based on the City of Richardson's Health Department Restaurant Scores for last month. That is, each month features a different list.

POTD: Morocco Earthquake

"Marrakesh trembles,
Earthquake's force shakes ancient walls,
Medina's heart breaks."

— h/t ChatGPT

From 2023 09 20 Marrakesh

Today's photo-of-the-day is from Marrakesh, Morocco. According to Reliefweb, "On 8 September 2023 at 22.11 UTC powerful earthquake of magnitude 6.8 struck Morocco at 18.5 km depth. The epicenter was in the High Atlas Mountains, 71km (44 miles) south-west of Marrakesh. Marrakesh, with a population of 840,000 inhabitants is the most impacted city."

We were on a tour of Portugal and Spain, and scheduled to go to Morocco, when the earthquake struck. All travel to Morocco was suspended for at least a week while authorities rushed relief aid and assessed the damage. Damage was heaviest in the Atlas Mountains, which was not on our itinerary. There was lesser damage in Marrakesh, which was on our itinerary. Our tour was scheduled to go to Morocco in a week. Finally, word came from out tour company that we could choose to go or not. Everyone chose to go. The photo-of-the-day shows damage to buildings in the medina, a heavily touristed area in the heart of Marrakesh.

Click for a bonus photo of damage to the old city wall of Marrakesh.

POTD: Jemaa el-Fnaa in Marrakesh

"Market's vibrant pulse,
Bustling heart of Marrakesh,
Energetic beat."
— h/t ChatGPT

From 2023 09 20 Marrakesh

Today's photo-of-the-day is from Jemaa el-Fnaa, the huge square and marketplace in Marrakesh's medina quarter. It is the heart of Marrakesh.