Merry TubaChristmas - 2013

From 2013 12 24 TubaChristmas

TubaChristmas was celebrated in Thanksgiving Square in downtown Dallas at noon on Christmas Eve, the 36th annual performance of about 200 tubas, sousaphones, euphoniums and baritones. Oh, the joyful sound!

More photos after the jump.

Duck and Cover - ctd

In reaction to the controversy over the comments of the Duck Dynasty guy, Phil Robertson, in a GQ interview, I said I was reading Isabel Wilkerson's "The Warmth of Other Suns." That book is getting better and better the farther I read. Wilkerson spells out plenty of reasons why blacks in the Jim Crow South would not say "Those doggone white people" to a white person, reasons different from the conclusion of Phil Robertson that blacks were happy with Jim Crow.

Blacks living in the Jim Crow South had good reason to distrust *all* whites -- a single careless comment to the wrong person at the wrong time and their livelihoods, their homes, even their lives could be lost. I'm surprised that this is a controversial statement today for anyone, but it seems to be, given some of the reader reaction I've received to my original post. Apparently, the mythology that blacks were happy with racial discrimination persists to this day.

After the jump, another passage from Wilkerson that provides another example of this.

HS Basketball District Play Tips Off

From 2013 12 20 Lake Highlands vs Berkner

District 9-5A basketball tipped off its 2013-2014 district season with rivalry games in Richardson. The Richardson Eagles defeated the Pearce Mustangs 61-51 at Pearce High School, while across town at Berkner High School, the Rams defeated the Lake Highlands Wildcats 76-62. Berkner had a balanced offense, with four players in double figures. Lake Highlands' Jamarice Preston led all scorers with 19 points.

More photos after the jump.

Duck and Cover

Recap: in an interview with GQ, Phil Robertson, star of A&E's reality TV series "Duck Dynasty," compared homosexuality with raping barnyard animals. A&E, not keen on being associated with that sentiment, suspended Robertson. Some thought that was a violation of free speech and attacked A&E for, I dunno, exercising their own freedom to choose whom to give TV time to or something. The critics of A&E find themselves in the (I hope) uncomfortable company of the Westboro Baptist Church: "A&E suspended Phil Robertson of Duck Dynasty 4EVER for telling you fags won't go to heaven. Hello?! GOD HATES FAGS."

Anyway, Phil Robertson's backwards views on sexual orientation are not what I wanted to talk about today. After the jump, his backwards views on race.

RALC Appreciation Luncheon

RALC Executive Director Katie Patterson welcomes attendees

The Richardson Adult Literacy Center (RALC) held its annual Volunteer and Student Appreciation Luncheon Wednesday at the Richardson Public Library. The potluck luncheon featured dishes from sixteen countries around the world. I particularly recommend the mole poblano.

The RALC provides free English as a second language (ESL) instruction to adults who live or work in Richardson or the Richardson Independent School District area. Please consider volunteering or donating.

Retirement for "L"

Ellen's upcoming retirement from the Richardson school district was celebrated by a retirement party thrown by her co-workers. She was blown away by the turnout of dozens of teachers and administrators from across the RISD, including the last three Directors of Fine Arts for the RISD. From left to right: Michael Brashear, Texas Bandmasters Association Executive Director; Brian Britt, Director of Fine Arts, Richardson ISD; Ellen; and Dr. Bradley Kent, Music Director for University Interscholastic League.

Santa's Village in Richardson (2013)

From 2013 12 12 Santas Village

More photos after the jump.

Sounds of the Season 2013 at LHHS

Attending the Lake Highlands High School Choirs' annual "Sounds of the Season" concert has become a holiday tradition. Something for all. Carols by candlelight. Pop music. Parent choir. More than Christmas shopping, more than decorating the house, the sounds of these talented young singers marks, for me, the start of the Christmas season. Make a point of attending next year and see if this concert doesn't become an annual tradition for your family, too.

S2L77: Kavala, Platamon and Thermopylae, Greece

From 1977 04 21 Greece

Kavala, Greece

The drive from Istanbul to Athens hugs the coast, affording views of the Aegean Sea, fishing villages and towns, and the ancient castles that protected Greece from invasion by sea.

More photos after the jump.

Mayor Maczka Shows Leadership on Palisades

The Richardson City Council, led by Mayor Laura Maczka, approved by a vote of 5-2 the rezoning request for the proposed pedestrian-friendly, mixed-use Palisades Village development. I applaud the vote. I support the development. This is what I said after the request was approved by the City Plan Commission and was sent to the city council for their approval:

Mayor Laura Maczka has made known her enthusiasm for this Palisades development. Getting it passed over the vocal opposition of some Canyon Creek homeowners is a test of her leadership. In the end, expect it to pass.

Source: The Wheel.

Even though I predicted council approval, I can't say I'm not a little surprised. Objections to building apartments next to the Canyon Creek neighborhood were loud and clear. Maczka not only went against the wishes of the opposition, she was in the lead of a solid majority of the council in approving the request. Her leadership style, however you want to characterize it, was strong enough to carry the day on this politically risky project.

After the jump, another tack I could have taken in reporting this.