Election Leftovers

On May 8, Richardson voters approved four bond proposals totalling $66 million. The proposals all passed by comfortable margins, but smaller than any Richardson bond election in memory. There are different explanations for the smaller than usual margins, from growing resistance to tax increases in general, to the tough economy in particular, to a protest against perceived failings of city staff and city council, to doubts about some of the projects themselves. I voted for the bonds, but that doesn't mean I don't still have a few reservations myself.

After the jump, my top three issues remaining as the smoke of the election campaigning clears.

CityArts Festival At Fair Park

From 2010 05 Fair Park

It was Mother's Day. How better to spend the day than wandering Dallas' Fair Park at the CityArts Festival? The annual event showcases cultural, performing, visual and culinary arts. There are over 200 artists who exhibit (and sell) their fine art. There are cooking demonstrations and samplings. There's music at any of several stages. And there are enough food concessions to get you stuffed and keep you that way all day. It was our first time to see the "dancing water" show choreographed to music at the Esplanade Fountain. It's not the Bellagio fountain show in Las Vegas, but what is?

On the negative side, the weather wasn't the best -- overcast and cool and breezy. But if the crowds stayed away, so did the rain. A good time was had by all.

To see more photos, click here.

Richardson and RISD Election Results

Update: May 11, 2013:
To anyone landing here looking for election results from 2013:
Laura Maczka was elected mayor.
RISD will have a runoff election between Rachel Chumney and Lanet Greenhaw.

Update: June 15, 2013:
To anyone landing here looking for election results from the June 15, 2013, RISD run-off election, look here.

2010 results are after the break.

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All 4 Richardson bond proposals pass by about 4-3 margins. Voters want streets, parks, rec center, pool & fire station.

Two incumbents re-elected in RISD school board elections. Kris Oliver wins open seat. Voters want more of same from the largest, most diverse "Recognized" district in Texas.

Complete election results can be found at the official Dallas County Elections website. The data after the jump is extracted from there.

Play In May. On To Area

From 2010 04 HS Baseball

All three Richardson ISD high schools advanced this week in the Texas UIL high school baseball playoffs, each winning game 3 of their 3-game bi-district series against Garland ISD schools. Richardson beat South Garland 5-2, Berkner beat Lakeview Centennial 5-0, and Lake Highlands beat Rowlett 4-0. The area round of the playoffs will be played next weekend. Congratulations to all for continuing to ... Play in May!

For more photos, click here.

Lion Dance

From 2010 05 Lion Dance

The Richardson Public Library's Fountain Plaza was the site of a fun and energetic Lion Dance Saturday afternoon. The Chinese Lion Dance is performed for festive occasions. The library was celebrating Asian Pacific American Heritage Month in recognition of Asian and Pacific Islanders in the United States.

For more photos, click here.

Spring In The Steger Garden (2010)

From Flowers

Keep It Wild!

Richardson Civic Center

From Flowers

The photo caption is correct. The photo above was snapped at the Richardson Civic Center. That field of wildflowers is surrounded by busy city offices, streets, a freeway, library, post office and apartments. Henry David Thoreau understood that "in Wildness is the preservation of the World." Richardson honors that sentiment with pockets of colorful wildflowers spread around the city every Spring.

Richardson doesn't honor wildflowers just by planting them, it wildly celebrates them with an annual "award-winning, multi-day eclectic arts and music festival" called simply Wildflower!, now just one week away. It takes over the Galatyn Park Urban Center from May 14-16. Take the DART Red Line to Galatyn Station. Enjoy live entertainment at one of three outdoor performance stages, along with food tasting, displays and exhibits and plenty of kid's activities. After all, Thoreau's Wildness isn't the only kind of Wildness that's beneficial to the human soul.

After the jump, a couple of close-ups of those wildflowers at the civic center.