The Wheel: 2026

Roasted chestnuts. Not really. But that's the judgment of Caterina, "a pround Portuguese blogger." According to her, "they're a delicious treat served roasted in special portable ovens in the streets of Portugal. They’re called castanhas assadas and I'm not exaggerating when I say this is my favorite thing in the whole world to eat."

Today's photo-of-the-day is from Lisbon during Christmas season. It shows one vendor selling chestnuts roasted on an open fire. Sadly, in America, the chestnut blight killed billions of American chestnut trees in the 20th century. In Europe, however, the tradition is still going strong on the streets of Lisbon (and elsewhere), not only just in song.

"Hot coals glow at dusk.
Chestnuts crackle in the cold.
The song comes alive."
— h/t ChatGPT

Saturday, August 29, 2026

POTD: Rossio

Today's photo-of-the-day is from the King Pedro IV Square in Lisbon, Portugal. According to Wikipedia, "The King Pedro IV Square, popularly known as Rossio, is a square in the Pombaline Downtown of Lisbon, Portugal. It has been one of its main squares since the Middle Ages. It has been the setting of popular revolts and celebrations, bullfights and executions, and is now a preferred meeting place of Lisbon natives and tourists alike."

Most buildings date from the reconstruction of the downtown carried out after the great 1755 Lisbon earthquake, which levelled most structures in the area. The earthquake shook European thought and literature, challenging the belief that everything happens for the best and prompting new debates about suffering, God, and the apparent indifference of nature. Voltaire famously responded by writing his satirical novel Candide to expose the gap between philosophical platitudes and real human suffering.

For us, the Rossio was just a big, beautiful plaza with the coolest cobblestone pattern that will always remind me of Lisbon.

"Waves beneath our feet
Where kings, rebels, crowds once gathered,
Crowds fill the old square."
— h/t ChatGPT

Friday, August 28, 2026

The Mayor Talks Parks, Recreation & Community Amenities

The Mayor Talks Transportation, Streets & Bike Infrastructure

The Mayor Talks Economic Development

The Mayor Talks Place 3 Appointment Process

The Mayor Talks Development, Zoning & Housing

POTD: Jerónimos Monastery

Today's photo-of-the-day is from the Jerónimos Monastery in Lisbon, Portugal. According to Wikipedia, "The Jerónimos Monastery is one of the most prominent examples of the late Portuguese Gothic Manueline style of architecture in Lisbon. It was erected in the early 1500s near the launch point of Vasco da Gama's first journey, and its construction funded by a tax on the profits of the yearly Portuguese India Armadas. [Think of that as a tax on billionaires.] In 1880, da Gama's remains and those of the poet Luís de Camões (who celebrated da Gama's first voyage in his 1572 epic poem The Lusiad), were moved to new carved tombs in the nave of the monastery's church, only a few meters away from the tombs of the kings Manuel I and John III, whom da Gama had served."

"Da Gama rests here
Beside kings who sent him forth.
Untold wealth returned."
— h/t ChatGPT

Saturday, August 22, 2026

POTD: Lisboa

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.

"New year, ancient town.
With streets washed in winter rain,
Lisbon wakes anew."
— h/t ChatGPT

Friday, August 21, 2026

The Mayor Talks Environment, Trees & Native Plants

The Mayor Talks Delivery Drones

The Mayor Talks Library & City Hall Projects

Council Recap: Five Cut without an Interview

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?

The Mayor Talks Budget, Taxes & Utilities

POTD: Uzbek Miscellany

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.

POTD: Shah-i-Zindi Necropolis

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.

Council Recap: Thirteen Good Men and Women

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

Council Recap: Flock Survives Scrutiny

What goes around comes around.

The Richardson City Council reviewed the Richardson Police Department's use of the Flock camera system. The council members' questions were revealing. Should Richardson keep the cameras? Should Richardson ditch the cameras? Should Richardson put stronger safeguards in place for the use of the cameras? Let's go through three of the clearest positions on Flock that emerged from the meeting.

The Devil Wears Prada 2 (2026)

The Devil Wears Prada 2 (2026): It's 20 years later, magazines are dead, but Miranda (Meryl Streep) won't admit it. Andy (Anne Hathaway) has to return to save the day. In other words, same formula, same characters, same jokes. But watchable for the talent on screen. C+

Disney+

Monday, August 10, 2026

Mayor Omar Talks Flock

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 one topic, the use of Flock cameras by Richardson Police Department because 1) a lot of questions about this came up, and 2) the Richardson City Council will be reviewing this topic at its August 10, 2026, meeting. Be there to learn more. In the meantime, you can review what The Wheel has had to say about Flock in our archives: "Flock Cameras are Watching Us".

Below is ChatGPT's summary of the mayor's town hall remarks about Flock.

POTD: Street Food in Samarkand

Today's photo-of-the-day was taken on the street outside the Observatory of Ulugh Beg in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. According to Wikipedia, "Ulugh Beg, the son of Shah Rukh and grandson of Amir Timur, became the ruler of Samarkand in the 15th century AD. Ulugh Beg was very skilled in mathematics and astronomy...[The observatory] could accurately measure the sun from the horizon, the altitude of a star and other planets. The duration of the year, period of planets, and eclipses were measured by this device. Ulugh Beg's measurements of planets closely relate to today's measurement."

Oh, the photo. It shows, not a model of Saturn's rings, but freshly baked bread offered by a street vendor outside the observatory.

A bonus photo of the observatory itself is after the jump.

POTD: Madrasa Interior

Today's photo-of-the-day is of the interior of the Tilakari Madrasa in Samarkand, Uzbekistan's Registan Square. It was built between 1646 and 1660. According to Wikipedia, "The Tilakari Madrasa is widely regarded as a masterpiece of Timurid architecture, a tradition deeply rooted in the Persianate architectural and artistic legacy that dominated Central Asia during the 14th-17th centuries...The madrasa reflects the refined aesthetics developed in Iran, Khurasan, and Transoxiana, where Persian cultural and artistic norms shaped the visual identity of the Timurid Empire."

"Samarkand still glows;
A thousand careful details
Defying the years."
— h/t ChatGPT

Thursday, August 6, 2026

Council Recap: Debating a Rounding Error—Day 2

The Richardson City Council conducted its annual budget workshop. Yesterday, I reported on Day 1's peculiar focus on one $5,000 budget expense ("Council Recap: Debating a Rounding Error"). Here I want to cover Day 2, specifically what happened to any leftover questions regarding that one item. This time, roughly 18–20 minutes was devoted to this topic. The mills of government grind slowly, but they grind exceedingly fine. Spoiler: there was a surprise ending!

Council Recap: Debating a Rounding Error

The Richardson City Council started its annual budget workshop August 3, 2026. Day 1 focused on the General Fund revenues and expenditures. Day 2 is scheduled to focus on the Operating Funds. (Note: this article was written after Day 1 but before Day 2.) The graphic above is one slide from the city's presentation. I am not going to discuss the $190 million General Fund Expenditures in the proposed budget. That would be too logical. Instead, I'm going to discuss one proposed $5,000 expenditure. Why? Because that's what the council spent time talking about. Too much time, in my opinion, given its tiny impact on the budget.

Avatar: Fire and Ash (2025)

Avatar: Fire and Ash (2025): A war movie painted in pastels. For visual sweep and grandeur, Dances with Wolves is better. For emotional punch, Apocalyse Now is much better. Avatar is 192 minutes too long. C-

Disney+

Monday, August 3, 2026

The Worst Places to Eat in Richardson Last Month

Graphic by City of Richardson.

POTD: Mausoleum of Tamerlane

Today's photo-of-the-day was taken at the Mausoleum of Tamerlane in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. According to Wikipedia, "Timur (c. 1320s—1405), also known as Tamerlane, was a Turco-Mongol conqueror, first ruler of the Timurid dynasty, and the founder of the Timurid Empire, which ruled over modern-day Afghanistan, Iran, and Central Asia. He was undefeated in battle and is widely regarded as one of the greatest military leaders and tacticians in history, as well as one of the most brutal and deadly. Timur is also considered a great patron of the arts."

Surprisinly, this photo is not of his mausoleum. It's only the gate that leads to his mausoleum, which becomes visible after you walk through the gate. The photo of his actual mausoleum is after the jump.

POTD: Waiting for the Caravan

Today's photo-of-the-day was taken at Registan Square in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. It shows a wooden bench outside one of the madrasahs, where "L" sits at peace in a city older than time.

Bonus photos are after the jump.

The Christophers (2026)

The Christophers (2026): Ian McKellen as an aging artist whose kids hire a forger (Michaela Coel) to secretly finish some unfinished canvases so they can sell them after his death as authentic. Artist and forger size each other up like cats deciding whether to fight. Superb character study of both. B+

On airplane

Wednesday, July 29, 2026

Are Good Things Finally in Store for Interurban?

Source: Interurban-Richardson.netlify.app.

A developer has a website featuring fancy renderings (above) of what Richardson's Interurban District could look like if all the pieces fall into place. It sounds wonderful: "A walkable district of rooftops, patios, murals, and local shops is being explored on the rail line Richardson was born on. Before anything is decided, we want to hear from the people who live here. Tell us what you would want in it." The website contains a survey that may be little more than a marketing exercise, but it's worth participating anyway.

I know what it feels like to be Charlie Brown running up to a football teed up by Lucy, only to have her pull it away at the last second. But this time, I'm more hopeful than I've ever been that good things could happen here.

Star City (TV 2026)

Star City (TV 2026): Spin-off of "For All Mankind", this time from the Soviet perspective. The writing smoothly integrates sci-fi, Cold War, and alternative history. Some plot elements are too implausible to suspend disbelief. Russians are sure to hate it. So that's good, right? B+

AppleTV+

Monday, July 27, 2026

Roses and Thorns for Filling Vacancies on City Council

Source: City of Richardson and ChatGPT.

The Richardson City Council is in the process of filling a vacancy created by the resignation of Councilmember Dan Barrios. Project teams sometimes use a simple exercise called "Roses and Thorns" to reflect on a completed project and identify lessons learned. Things that went well and that we can be proud of are "roses." Things that didn't go well are "thorns." Barrios's seat isn't filled yet (and won't be filled until late September), but we can see how the process is likely to play out, so it's not too soon to hand out some roses and thorns.

POTD: Fashion Sense in Samarkand

Today's photo-of-the-day was taken at Registan Square in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. It shows two women very fashionably dressed and posing for a photographer. For what reason, we didn't learn. We just snapped our own photos.

Bonus photos are after the jump.

POTD: Registan Square, Samarkand

Today's photo-of-the-day was taken at Registan Square in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. According to Wikipedia, it's "a historic public square [that] served as the heart of the Timurid Empire and later as the city's commercial, educational, and ceremonial center. The square is famed for its ensemble of three madrasas which together represent some of the finest achievements of Islamic architecture in Central Asia. Renowned for its soaring iwans, turquoise domes, intricate mosaic tilework, and geometric ornamentation, Registan is considered one of the greatest examples of Timurid and Persian-influenced architecture."

We visited the square twice, once during the day and again at night when it's the subject of a sound-and-light show.

Bonus photos are after the jump.

Council Recap: Dorian Wants A Second Bite at the Apple

Source: City of Richardson and ChatGPT.

The Richardson City Council met July 20, 2026. One of the topics was "Review and Discuss the City Council appointment process and consider approval of the application." The council had already voted 6-1 on June 8 to adopt the vacancy-filling process as part of its Rules of Order and Procedure. (The lone "no" vote was by Dan Barrios who objected to the process of awarding a Key to the City, not to the appointment process of filling vacancies on council.) Given that support, you'd be forgiven for thinking that this agenda item would be over quickly. You'd be wrong, for two reasons. First, the council had agreed on the twelve-step process, but not on the calendar. Second, Curtis Dorian. In effect, Dorian asked the council to revisit the process it had already debated and adopted just six weeks earlier.

Michael (2026)

Michael (2026): Hagiography of the early life of Michael Jackson, before the ick years. Jaafar Jackson recreates the moves. Domingo Colman dominates every scene he's in. But the overall feeling is of the family still exploiting Michael, not honoring him. C+

On plane

Sunday, July 19, 2026

POTD: Uzbek Fashion Show

Today's photo-of-the-day was taken in the courtyard of the Nadir Devanbegi Madrasah in the old city of Bukhara, Uzbekistan. A fashion show accompanied dinner.

"Ancient school at dusk.
Silk glides where scholars once walked.
Tonight, color speaks."
— h/t ChatGPT

Saturday, July 18, 2026

POTD: Uzbek Women

Today's photo-of-the-day was taken at the Bahouddin Naqshband Memorial Complex outside Bukhara, Uzbekistan. According to Wikipedia, this complex "includes the tomb of Baha-ud-Din Naqshband Bukhari, the founder of the Naqshbandi order, who died in 1389... It has een a place of pilgrimage for many generations... During the time of the Soviets, it was forbidden to visit the grave here."

Out of respect, visitors to the site wear modest clothing. Still, that leaves a lot of flexibility in clothing style.

"A saint rests nearby,
while bright scarves catch morning light"
along the pathway."
— h/t ChatGPT

Tuesday, July 14, 2026

The Sheep Detectives (2026)

The Sheep Detectives (2026): Comedy/mystery for families. Lots of recognizable faces and/or voices. Adults will like solving the mystery. Kids will like the delightful sheep. Teens just might find themselves laughing a few times. B+

Prime

Monday, July 13, 2026

Book Review: Blank Space

From Blank Space, by W. David Marx:

Amazon

"Where society once encouraged and provided an abundance of cultural invention, there is now a blank space. Over the past twenty-five years, culture has prospered as a vehicle for entertainment, politics, and profiteering—but at the expense of pure artistic innovation."

POTD: The Ghosts of the Silk Road in Old Viewfinders

Today's photo-of-the-day was taken on the street in Bukhara, Uzbekistan, where a pile of old binoculars and cameras was spread carelessly on a table. I wondered about all the images that appeared through their lenses in the years and decades gone by. And whose eyes had framed those images.

"A faded minaret—
the tourist who framed the shot
has faded as well."
— h/t ChatGPT

Saturday, July 11, 2026

POTD: Bolo Hauz Mosque

Today's photo-of-the-day is of the Bolo Hauz Mosque in Bukhara, Uzbekistan. According to Asian Historical Architecture, the mosque "stands opposite the Ark Fortress... Its name means 'above the pool', referring to the octagonal hauz, or artificial pond, located directly in front of it Begun in 1712, early in the reign of Abu'l-Faiz Khan (r. 1711-47), it is one of the last and finest of Bukhara's major buildings prior to the modern era."

"Pool mirrors the sky.
Carved wooden columns shimmer.
Ark watches silently."
— h/t ChatGPT

Tuesday, July 7, 2026

The Beast in Me (TV 2026)

The Beast in Me (TV 2026): Psychological thriller. Author with emotional scars gets a new neighbor, a billionaire who just might be a sociopathic murderer. Claire Danes is excellent trying to figure out what makes him tick. Matthew Rhys is excellent at keeping his secrets just out of reach. A-

Netflix

Monday, July 6, 2026

Council Recap: Public Money for Private Property

Source: City of Richardson.

The Richardson City Council met June 22, 2026. One of the topics reviewed was the "FY27 Matching Fund Beautification Project Requests". According to the city, citizens, businesses, civic groups, and HOAs may partner with COR to improve the landscape on public property. COR matches partner group funds 100%. COR maintains the landscape after project completion. Improvements often are made in parks, on medians, and at neighborhood entry points. So far, so good. So what was the City Manager asking City Council to provide direction on?

POTD: Kalyan Minaret