Short Term Rental Regulations Coming to Richardson

Source: Movie Photo, Everett Collection.

The Richardson City Council reviewed a possible ordinance regulating short-term rentals (STRs). This is in response to a public outcry over an out-of-control explosion in the number of short-term rentals in the City of Richardson, accompanied by an enormous number of nuisance violations (noise, parking, trash). (The police chief was on hand to define "out of control" and "enormous": he said that the police receive "a handful" of complaints each year.) But the public wants short-term rentals banned, so the City Council has to do *something*. So they shall.

Dining, Hookah, but not Belly Dancing

Another Time, Same Old Place

Back in June, a wild night at the Richardson City Council meeting saw the Council reverse themselves on a key rezoning vote. After voting 4-3 in May to approve a rezoning request for an outdoor venue for dining/hookah/music on Abrams Road in Richardson, in June Council Member Joe Corcoran reversed himself and voted against the actual ordinance that was drawn up to make the May vote official. The property owner, knocked back on his heels by this reversal, went back to his corner and licked his wounds. Now he's back with a request for approval of a similar application for the same property.

POTD: Grand Bahama Port Back in Business

From 2020 02 04 Bahamas

Today's photo-of-the-day is from February, 2020. It shows Grand Bahama Island, five months after Hurricane Dorian devastated the island. According to ReliefWeb, "Dorian hit The Bahamas on September 1, 2019 as a Category 5 hurricane, causing flooding and mass destruction on the northwest islands of Abaco and Grand Bahama...Hurricane Dorian was one of the strongest Atlantic hurricanes on record -- and the strongest hurricane to have ever hit The Bahamas." We visited Grand Bahama five months after the hurricane. The port was back in business, receiving supplies of food and building materials for reconstruction. Bahamians are resilient. Don't hesitate to visit.

POTD: Hurricane Dorian and Grand Bahama

From 2020 02 04 Bahamas

Today's photo-of-the-day is from February, 2020. It shows a nature conservancy in Grand Bahama, five months after Hurricane Dorian devastated the island. According to ReliefWeb, "Dorian hit The Bahamas on September 1, 2019 as a Category 5 hurricane, causing flooding and mass destruction on the northwest islands of Abaco and Grand Bahama...Hurricane Dorian was one of the strongest Atlantic hurricanes on record -- and the strongest hurricane to have ever hit The Bahamas." We visited Grand Bahama five months after the hurricane. The hurricane stripped almost all the leaves from the trees in the nature conservancy, but life was slowing coming back. Like nature, Bahamians are resilient. Don't hesitate to visit.

Bonus photo after the jump.

Get On Board...A Streetcar Conductor Replies

This week, I had a few things to say about the City of Richardson's process of appointing people to boards and commissions. City Council member Joe Corcoran graciously took the time to reply.

The Bear (TV 2022)

Rotten Tomatoes

The Bear (TV 2022): A sitcom, but there's no comedy. A rising chef inherits struggling family restaurant when his brother commits suicide. Kitchen is pure chaos, with everyone shouting at each other simultaneously. An intense study in grief, anger, and heart. Not for everyone. A-

WAIW: Where Richardson Springs From

Where Am I Wednesday?

Fifty points to the first person to identify where this photo was taken.

Answer is after the jump.

Thor: Love and Thunder (2022)

Rotten Tomatoes

Thor: Love and Thunder (2022): One of Marvel's better efforts. A sober start quickly turns into an over-the-top non-stop self-parody of action-adventure films. Never takes itself seriously. Best thing about it was how the film treats kids. Manipulative but kids will love it. B-

Get On Board...If They'll Have You

The Richardson City Council is holding a come-and-go event for persons interested in serving on a City board or commission. Go. Apply. I can't say you'll be accepted but I've never seen even this small attempt at outreach by the City before.

POTD: Day Care in Nassau

From 2020 02 04 Bahamas

Today's photo-of-the-day is from a children's day-care facility in Nassau, Bahamas. I'm a sucker for murals and this is a nice one. It appears to have been commissioned by the National Art Gallery of the Bahamas for a series called "Beach Murals." The City of Richardson ought to do more along this line. The City's "Traffic Signal Box Art Contest" is a good start. More like this, please.