11 December 2006
Former KPRC talker Pat Gray lands at KSEV
Court Koenning passes along word that Pat Gray, recently fired from his talk show on KPRC-950, will be joining KSEV-700.
He will apparently team up with Edd Hendee in the mornings from 7-9 am, and will also fill in when Hendee and/or Dan Patrick (4-6 pm) are unavailable.
Lone Star Times reproduces the Koenning press release in full.
Pat Gray has also posted an mp3 announcement on his website. It is... different. He promises PatGray.com will continue, and that he'll be posting KSEV's morning show as a podcast every day.
UPDATE (12-12-2006): On the air this morning, Gray said that next year (in January), he'll be doing the show on the Dallas station from 6-7, then a joint show with Hendee in Houston from 7-9. Hey, if Clear Channel can have a San Antonio guy doing Houston talk, I guess Patrick can have a Katy/Houston guy doing Dallas talk.
BLOGVERSATION: Mike McGuff, TBIFOC.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 12/11/06 06:57 PM |
10 December 2006
Chron profiles animal rescue group
The Chron dispatched Allan Turner to profile one of Houston's many animal rescue organizations, Scout's Honor:
Since its start in May, the Houston volunteer group has rescued at least 150 animals from extreme peril. More than 100 of them have been placed in loving homes. But even with the success of Scout's Honor and similar volunteer groups around the city, the need is never met. "There's a need for 100 groups to do this in the Houston area," said President Dana Dicker. "There are just more animals than there are rescuers."
Scout's Honor, named after a rescued spaniel mix who did not survive, consists of six core members and a citywide network of volunteers and temporary caretakers.
The group's founders, Dicker said, previously worked with other rescue groups, some of which were selective in which breeds would be saved. Scout's Honor accepts all comers.
"We do not discriminate in breed, age, health or injuries," she said.
Discriminate? That's a strangely pejorative term to use just after lamenting that the city needs more rescue groups. The fact is, the city could use more animal rescue groups. But there are also many existing groups that have been doing fine rescue work for many years (not just since May), some of which specialize in rescuing and placing certain breeds for adoption. It probably was not Ms. Dicker's intent to slight them with her comment, but it sort of came off that way.
Incidentally, the second paragraph of this profile was strange:
It's about those other dogs and cats, the luckless, the abandoned, sick or tortured, who struggle simply to survive. It's about those animals that would wish — if animals were capable of wishing — simply to die and be done with the pain.
If animals were capable of wishing? Okay!
Turner sometimes pens installments of the Chron Eye for the Death Row Killer Guy, so maybe he just couldn't help himself.
But, it's nice to see animal rescue work get some media attention in any case.
BLOGVERSATION: Lose an Eye, It's a Sport.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 12/10/06 10:12 PM |
Chron Editorial LiveJournalists muff sports editorial
The Chronicle Editorial LiveJournalists decided to tackle sports today.
The results were not very good.
Here's the first error:
It has been a season for second guessing in Houston. In making defensive end Mario Williams their top draft choice, the Texans stepped over the best running back available, Reggie Bush of Southern Cal. When training camp came around, they found themselves without a proven rusher when injuries sidelined last year's starter, Dominick Davis.
Err, that should have been Domanick Davis. Whoops!
Coach Kubiak's decision to stick with former first round draft pick David Carr at quarterback has been increasingly questioned as Carr's fumbles and inability to move the offense contributed to the team's disappointing 4-8 record. Even though the Texans beat Oakland last week, Carr actually had minus passing yardage due to five sacks.
No, Carr actually had 32 yards passing last week. The team's net passing yardage was -5 yards, because sack yardage is subtracted from total passing yardage to calculate that statistic in the NFL. Check the box score. The error by the Editorial LiveJournalists was a minor one, but it was still an error.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 12/10/06 08:26 PM |
Newspapers love to cover their (formerly) own
The Chronicle has posted a nice story on John Williams, who once wrote the Chronicle's politics column but left in 2004 to work for James Baker:
The Iraq Study Group Report rocketed to No. 2 on Amazon.com's best-seller list Thursday. But the names of its two Houston authors, and two other co-writers, are nowhere on the cover.
In fact, the four men, aides to the co-chairmen of the Study Group, go unmentioned until Page 142 — the last page of the book version.
The Houstonians are Edward Djerejian, the director of the James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy at Rice University, and John Williams, an assistant to Baker, the former secretary of state and co-chairman of the Iraq Study Group with former U.S. Rep. Lee Hamilton.
Djerejian and Williams, along with two of Hamilton's aides, toiled in obscurity while the co-chairmen got the headlines. But they had major roles in what promises to be a focal point of the debate about Iraq.
The aides began tossing around ideas about how to fashion the report on a flight back to the U.S. from Baghdad, where members of the Study Group spent the Labor Day holiday talking with Iraqi and U.S. officials.
Williams, a former Houston Chronicle reporter, said the aides were determined to write the report in a direct and fast-paced way.
"We wanted people to be able to read it in a sitting," he said.
In early October, the four men convened on the Rice University campus to sketch an outline of the report. They eventually produced 15 drafts before the final version was unveiled with great fanfare Wednesday in Washington.
The story ends with the sort of fluff that we expect from the Chronicle's D.C. bureau:
"We had the world's two toughest and best editors — James Baker and Lee Hamilton," Williams said.
Now, Williams quipped, "I would like to get out on the golf course in the next couple of weeks or see my children."
Hey, maybe he can catch up with Chron editor Jeff Cohen!
So, now that the writers have been lauded by the Chronicle for their efforts, does that render moot the headline claim that they are "unheralded authors?"
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 12/10/06 06:25 PM |
Dangerous time/place/behavior update
"Overall in the city of Houston, you're pretty safe," says Hurtt. "If you're not involved in specific types of behavior, not out on the streets at particular times of night and particular areas of the city, you have a pretty good chance of not becoming a victim of violent crime in the city of Houston."
On Friday, KTRK-13's Stephanie Guadian reported on a violent robbery just outside Dillards by the Galleria:
"I was very careful when I walked in and walked out to notice if there was anyone standing about and just kind of not doing anything in particular," said shopper Kay Martin. "Someone sent me an email."
Kay received an email in which a mother details how her 29-year-old daughter was attacked, beaten with a gun and robbed at the front door of the Dillard's store near the Galleria. The email warns shoppers the store's parking lot is becoming a scary place.
John Breeding, President of the Uptown Houston District, was also forwarded a copy.
He said, "The first thing I thought was, I was concerned, but let's find out if this is true or is this an urban myth going around."
HPD confirms the attack but calls it an isolated incident.
[snip]
We tried reaching Dillard's for a comment, but our calls were not returned. HPD is calling the incident isolated, but there are plans to bring additional officers to the area.
Apparently, it's one of those isolated incidents that will be made less likely to recur by concentrating police manpower?
In any case, add shopping during the holidays at the Galleria to those times/places/behaviors that Chief Hurtt might recommend avoiding if you're concerned about not becoming a victim of violent crime in Houston. And be careful out there!
ANNE ADDS: This part from KTRK's story baffles me:
John Breeding, President of the Uptown Houston District, was also forwarded a copy.
He said, "The first thing I thought was, I was concerned, but let's find out if this is true or is this an urban myth going around."
HPD confirms the attack but calls it an isolated incident.
Why would the president of the Uptown Houston District think it was an urban myth? The story was first reported by KPRC-2 on December 2nd:
A woman was attacked as she left a Galleria-area department store on Thursday night, KPRC Local 2 reported.
The woman said she was attacked a few feet from the front door of Dillard's.
"He ran towards me. He grabbed me; he pulled me up to the side of the building," the victim said. "He put me in a headlock, banged me over the head with a gun and shoved it into my side."
The woman said the store's security guards let her down.
"There was no security in sight at the front of the store," she said.
A witness said security was slow to respond after the attack.
"I kind of wondered, too, where were they?" the witness said. "I don't know if maybe they were on another level of the store."
Urban myth?? There was a witness to the attack! If KTRK could call HPD and get confirmation of the attack, why wouldn't the president of the Uptown District do the same? You'd think it'd be a part of his job to know such things.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 12/10/06 05:10 PM |
09 December 2006
More on The Woodlands' effort to fend off annexation
The deal reached between the city of Houston and The Woodlands to prevent annexation is generating plenty of buzz. For what it's worth (very little, I know), I think it's the best deal The Woodlands could have reached under the circumstances. Does it seem like extortion? Sure, but the alternative is to end up like Kingwood, and residents of The Woodlands are undoubtedly eager to avoid that.
Today's Chronicle story by Matt Stiles, Renée Lee and Kristen Mack gives us more information about the deal and the reasoning behind it:
The city began working on the plan last spring, when White asked former City Councilman Mark Ellis to discuss the issue with state Sen. Tommy Williams, R-The Woodlands.
What followed were "good, hard-nose negotiations," Williams said, which led to Thursday's historic announcement years before the 2014 deadline likely would have prompted fiercer debate.
"What we both agreed on is that we're better off dealing with this before it becomes a crisis," Williams said.
White and Ellis said annexing The Woodlands would have brought the city a large pool of new tax revenue, but also a growing population of more than 80,000 people expecting parks, trash pickup, police and fire protection, and water and sewer lines. Those services would have been hard to deliver 25 miles north, even in a city experienced at dealing with sprawl.
Imagine The Woodlands five years after Houston takes over. It's not pretty.
The story includes this quote from state Sen. John Whitmire:
"The Woodlands would be nothing but a deer lease if it weren't for the city of Houston," he said. "Residents of The Woodlands enjoy the golden goose of Houston. They get the benefits of working here during the day and then going back to their comfortable, homogenous, bedroom communities at night."
That's probably true...to an extent. But how many companies are headquartered in The Woodlands now, drawing Woodlands and Houston folks to work? It's surely not a complete Houston-gives, The Woodlands-takes situation, not by a long shot.
Now here's a question for those folks worried that Houston isn't getting enough out of this deal (a bizarre notion, I think): Does Katy (a comfortable bedroom community) have a deal with Houston whereby Katy sends money to pay for its residents enjoying the "golden goose" that Houston offers? I don't know; I'm asking.
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 12/09/06 03:06 PM |
08 December 2006
This weekend, grab some Christmas spirit
When I was young, I remember how traffic would build after sundown in our Glenbrook Valley - Hobby Airport area. All the neighborhoods participated in the annual Christmas home and yard decorating contests. They jockied to be the best and to wow all kids from 6 to 60. Every yard had something, even if it was only a tree in the window and a few lights. But some, well, those folks went crazy. They would install huge mechanical displays and thousands upon thousands of lights. The Cowboy Santa riding the bucking horse in one of the front bay windows had to be the biggest draw--hands down. It would take a half hour to get past that one house. Traffic crawled but that was okay, all the better to ooh and ahh over the thousands of lights, ornaments, and creative landscapes.
This year Lights in the Heights beckons Houstonians to the Woodland Heights for "side street entertainment, music, and food." But it’s only for one night, tomorrow, (Saturday, December 9) from 6 PM – 10 PM. You can get more information, even maps when you go to Woodland Heights.
In the vein of whatever floats your boat and who doesn’t love a parade, check out the Kemah Christmas Boat Parade . Capture a truly Gulf Coast Christmas spirit when you watch this floating parade of decorated boats. You’ll have to act fast, though. The parade is tomorrow night (Saturday, December 9) from 8 PM – 10 PM. Many consider the view from the Kemah Boardwalk to be the best. There are plenty of restaurants and fun things to do for you and family and friends. You can see some examples of previous boats online.
Feel free to share any other activities that are a favorite of yours.
Posted by Vikk Simmons @ 12/08/06 11:01 AM |
Metro's idea of customer service
A few days ago, Laurence Simon had quite the customer service experience with Metro:
If a bus is late, people are screwed over, sure. But if it's early, people who depend o nthat bus end up having to wait for the next one.
On my route, it's 25 to 35 minutes frequency.
Zooming down the road to get the route finished quickly while carting a mostly-empty load for some odd reason - that's just not professional behavior.
I stopped The Daily Gizwiz on Ziggy3, called 713 635 4000, and reported the complaint to the "Customer Feedback Representative."
[snip]
One thing about filing the report had me pissed, though: the person never said the words "sorry" or "we apologize for the inconvenience" or any other empty platitude that organizations hand out when a customer gets screwed by their poor service. Didn't even ask for a callback number or an email address to write to.
They wanted me to call in with a reference number. You know, to constantly check to see if they've gotten around to it, to beg for them to pay attention to me.
I've called in. I've made the effort. I've paid my taxes and paid for this fare card. You work for me, METRO.
Yes, well Metro doesn't like to dwell on the fact that it works for local taxpayers. Customer service is an annoyance when it has a much bigger calling.
You'll be shocked to learn that things haven't improved this week for Laurence and the other riders who depend on the 9 bus.
Hey Frank Wilson! How about a little love for your BUS riders?
You know, the old Metro website had a little mission statement section that included some platitudes about serving its customers. The new Metro website no longer includes that section.
BLOGVERSATION: Greg's Opinion.
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 12/08/06 08:48 AM |
07 December 2006
Kirby to get Texas stars along with needed improvements
The Chronicle's Tara white reports that Kirby Drive is going to be getting some visual upgrades along with the planned repaving and flood control projects:
Prominent Texas-star inlays at eight Kirby Drive intersections are the major aesthetic components of the first phase of the "All-Stars" initiative announced by the Kirby Coalition on Dec. 4 at IBC Bank, 5615 Kirby Drive.
The initiative will use private funds to add amenities to the city of Houston's flood relief project. The city's project will provide newly paved streets and storm sewer reconstruction along Kirby Drive from Reliant Arena, 1 Reliant Park, to the Central Business District.
"There is an urgency because the city's construction will take three to four years," said Jamie Brewster, co-chair of the coalition. "If we act now it will be less of an inconvenience for residents and more cost-effective."
Plans for the first phase include installing paved Texas stars at the intersections of Kirby Drive and Westheimer Road, West Alabama and Bissonnet streets, Richmond Avenue, and Sunset, Rice, University and Holcombe boulevards. Other planned streetscape elements are brick crosswalks, traffic lights on poles instead of wires, benches and landscaping.
That should look pretty nice when they are done (although it probably should at $250,000 per intersection).
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 12/07/06 10:20 PM |
Houston mayor and state senator cut deal on The Woodlands
Mayor White and State Senator Tommy Williams today announced a deal by which the city of Houston agrees not to annex The Woodlands, in exchange for a cool $45 million over the next 30 years.
KTRK-13's Miya Shay reported the deal on her blog.
KHOU-11 followed up with this story.
And Matt Stiles filled in additional details in the Chronicle:
Voters in The Woodlands could decide as early as next year whether to take the first steps toward self-government, under a deal that also would remove the possibility of annexation by Houston, local officials announced today.
According to the agreement, the master-planned community also would enter into an economic partnership with the city to fund mutually beneficial regional projects totaling $45 million over time.
Mayor Bill White and state Sen. Tommy Williams, R-The Woodlands, heralded the deal as an example of cooperation between communities that depend on each other.
[snip]
The deal would require enabling legislation, which Williams and state Rep. Rob Eissler, R-The Woodlands, pledged to get passed in the upcoming session.
Woodlands residents then could vote next year, most likely in November, on whether to expand an existing improvement district — which already collects a sales tax in parts of The Woodlands — as a first step toward possible incorporation.
That sounds like a real winner for Mayor White, who still gets some revenue and gets to avoid making a lot of people in The Woodlands mad as he gears up for a possible statewide political race.
It will be interesting to see what some of our Woodlands-area bloggers have to say about the deal.
BLOGVERSATION: Lone Star Times, Lose an Eye, It's a Sport, Off the Kuff.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 12/07/06 09:48 PM |
Galveston County Daily News reports on Chron changes
Laura Elder of the Galveston County Daily News reports on some changes at the Chronicle:
Houston Chronicle reporter Kevin Moran has covered the island for a quarter of a century.
In media circles and among news consumers, Moran, 57, is a Galveston institution, covering through the years everything from hurricanes to murder trials of cross-dressing real-estate heirs. But last week, Moran was officially reassigned to the Chronicle’s online edition, causing him to be the subject of news.
Houston Chronicle reporter Harvey Rice will replace Moran on the island beat. Rice is married to Jackie Cole, who announced she would resign from the city council when his appointment became effective. Cole said she wanted to avoid a conflict of interest that her husband’s new job could pose.
Moran said he intends to continue living in Galveston with his wife, Marie Westmoreland, and their 16-year-old son, Sean.
After working from his home all these years, Moran said he’d make the commute from Galveston to Houston each morning.
[snip]
George Haj, deputy managing editor of the Chronicle, said Moran’s reassignment was not part of a major shift in strategy for covering south Galveston County.
“It’s more about expanding what we do online. We wanted a veteran reporter to anchor our early morning online shift,” Haj said. “Galveston is an incredibly important beat for us, and it’s an exciting community going through a lot of changes.”
It would be nice to know the internal politics behind such moves, but such things are rarely mentioned publicly.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 12/07/06 09:10 PM |
Shameless shilling for the Downtown Card
The Chronicle's Betty Martin wants readers to know all about the Downtown Card:
Other than their convenient, downtown locations, what do Macy's, Ben & Jerry's, The Lancaster Hotel, The Shops at Houston Center and the Houston Ballet have in common?
Gift-givers or people on their gift list can easily shop there — and in about 80 other centrally located shops, restaurants, theaters, hotels, spas, salons and other service providers so far — with a single, pre-paid card.
Since its October launch, the Downtown Card has grown in popularity among participating merchants and the people who purchase it in denominations of $10 to $500.
Balances are available to card holders on merchant receipts.
The card is available at The Shops at Houston Center, 1200 McKinney, and the Alley Theatre, 615 Texas Ave., said Angie Bertinot, marketing director for the Houston Downtown Management District.
Wow! Downtown businesses must appreciate that free advertising. That was nice of the Chronicle! Unfortunately, the Chronicle does not seem to participate in the Downtown Card program, so people who might want to purchase a subscription with their Downtown Card would seem to be out of luck.
As a friendly public service announcement, blogHOUSTON would suggest that American Express, Mastercard, and Visa gift cards all will work just as well at fine downtown establishments, AND they can also be used at places that 1) don't charge a small fortune for parking and 2) don't have aggressive panhandlers.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 12/07/06 12:26 AM |
Watching history repeat itself...
The Mayor's press shop has started promoting the city's latest, greatest plan to help the poor: The city is launching an initiative (backed with federal dollars) to remodel apartments that rent to the poor.
Here is an excerpt from KUHF-88.7's reporting:
Houston city officials are taking several approaches to improve areas with high concentrations of older apartment complexes. It began with a new law that requires owners of apartments with higher than average crime rates to pay for improved security measures. Special Assistant to the Mayor David Mincberg says next the city is launching the "Better Neighborhoods" program that gives grants to apartment owners to significantly renovate their property.
"The city is committed to putting in enough money to make a real difference in the renovation and rehab of these projects."
Two areas of the city will be targeted the Fondren southwest area and the Hobby area around Broadway. Mincberg says the goal is to rehab 2,000 units in 2007 and expand to four-thousand units in the following year.
"I think you see a lot of projects that are very run down. You see low occupancies and you see a number of projects that are boarded up. What I envision in two years is we are going to see new elevations on those buildings, we are going to see them cleaned up and we are going to see places people are proud to call home."
Apartments built between 1975 and 1996 will be eligible for the upgrades.
And here is an excerpt from KHOU-11's reporting:
Decades ago they were cool apartments where people wanted to live.
Now thousands of them are marginally habitable.
“When you’re driving either to or from Hobby you kind of just put your eyes over your head until you get to 45,” said City Councilwoman in Dist. I, Carol Alvarado.
Mayor Bill White is now backing a major effort to fix up the falling down. “That again can be tens of millions of dollars.”
Apartment owners can apply for federal money, up to $30,000 per apartment.
The first targets are Fondren Southwest and that area right around Hobby.
All of this came about in the last five or six months when the mayor and a couple of others went to New York and drove around Brooklyn and the Bronx and were impressed with improvements that had happened in the last 30 years or so.
Put your eyes over your head? That doesn't sound quite right, Councilmember Alvarado.
In any case, it's almost certain there will be no careful consideration of this latest, greatest program to help the poor in Houston. And it's just as nearly certain that we'll be discussing all sorts of allegations of fraud and non-performance related to the program in a few years. But hey, as long as progressive-technocratic politicians mean well (and those fine folks in New York are happy with their programs), why should anybody worry about accountability and the best use of taxpayers' funds?
UPDATE (12-07-2006): The Chronicle's coverage completes the Mayor's successful press blitz.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 12/07/06 12:07 AM |
06 December 2006
HPD rolls out graffiti/trash dumping cameras
In this week's Houston Press, Richard Connelly reports on a slick new approach to fighting graffiti/trash dumping in Houston:
Walk behind the Leopard Lounge clothing store on Westheimer and you may be in for a surprise.
If you're lucky enough to stroll in just the right spot -- the spot, say, a graffiti artist or an illegal dumper may use to indulge his muse -- you'll hear a stern voice blaring from a loudspeaker, "This is the Houston Police Department. Your picture has just been taken. Leave now."
During which, of course, you'll look up at the loudspeaker, and at that moment you'll see a flash.
You can't be sure whether you've had your picture taken or not -- HPD has set up an undisclosed number of dummy cameras in addition to the 20 that actually work. But chances are your mug's been captured by Houston's finest.
Does this camera initiative have an exciting acronym to go with it? Because it's not a real crimefighting initiative unless it has an acronym!
BLOGVERSATION: HouStoned, Mike McGuff.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 12/06/06 11:44 PM |
No trans fat ban for Houston -- yet
According to a Chronicle story that credits three reporters and two additional news organizations, the City of Houston is not yet considering a ban on trans fats to match New York's:
In New York, the ban was advocated by health-conscious Mayor Michael Bloomberg. In Houston, City Hall is quiet on the issue.
Frank Michel, spokesman for Mayor Bill White, and Councilwoman Carol Alvarado, chairwoman of the City Council's Environmental and Public Health Committee, both said there's been no talk of a similar move.
That talk may be coming soon, however:
New York has become the first city in the nation to ban unhealthy trans fats in restaurants. Chicago is considering a similar restriction for large eateries.
Mayor White likes to copy policies and programs of Mayor Daley in Chicago (except for the important items, like adequate police forces and effective mass transit). If Chicago moves forward on the issue, expect Mayor White to follow.
BLOGVERSATION: TBIFOC
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 12/06/06 11:39 PM |
KTRH-740 and KPRC-950 changing shows, schedules
Changes are coming to KPRC-950 and KTRH-740 beginning December 18th. Rush Limbaugh's show will be moving from KPRC to KTRH, Chris Baker's show will be bumped up an hour and run from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., and Joe Pags will be on after Baker. Over on KPRC, Michael Berry's show stays put, Sam Malone (moving from KTRH) will be on after Berry from 10 a.m. to 12 noon, then Michael Garfield will be on from 12 noon to 1 p.m.
Phew! Got all that? If not, here's the link to KPRC's new schedule and here's the link to KTRH's.
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 12/06/06 06:23 PM |
KHOU trumpets ratings success of news programs
KHOU-11 "reports" on the ratings success of their news programs in November:
KHOU-TV Channel 11 finished as Houston’s news leader in the television sweeps race winning all major newscasts at 5 p.m., 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. (M-F), (M-Sun) as well as the mid-day news in the November sweeps period ending Wednesday, November 29, according to Nielsen Media Research.
Congrats to the KHOU crew.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 12/06/06 12:03 AM |
05 December 2006
The Butterfly and the Knife (updated)
Have you all seen the Chron's special series titled The Butterfly and the Knife (the title alone is enough to make one cringe)? It's an in-depth look at the gang melee and murder at Ervan Chew Park last June, and the Chron folks have decided to turn it into a tragic opera:
The Butterfly and the Knife Interactive: The story of Ashley Paige Benton and Gabriel Granillo told through narrated slideshows, video and more.
Narrated slideshows, video, and more! What more? How about a blog? Yessiree, there's a Butterfly and Knife blog, written by four HISD students who "react to the series as it plays out."
But it's not a play and we know how it ends.
The truth is there are lessons to be learned from the events of that day; unfortunately, the Chronicle isn't up to the task of discovering what they are.
UPDATE: Here's an example of taking away the wrong lesson:
The schools are the ones who need to learn from this the most, if they can swallow their pride that is. Maybe then, will troubled students the ones that are in, Gabriel and Ashley's position, can be given the proper attention, before anything significant occurs.
No. A big part of the problem we face today is that too much has already been handed off to schools! Parents have the most influence and the most responsibility -- that's where the focus needs to be. Parents need to get back to active parenting, instead of expecting schools to do the job.
KEVIN WHITED ADDS (12-10-2006): We wondered among ourselves if this particular Chron Eye was the brainchild of the Chronicle's erratic features editor Kyrie O'Connor. Reader Representative James Campbell seems to answer that question today:
As the reader surmised, our intention with the series was to provide perspective to a story that might have faded into the archives.
"We asked (Feldman and Peralta) to try to reconstruct the lives and events that propelled two young people into a moment in time," said deputy managing editor Kyrie O'Connor. "It was a chance to take one compelling news story and get at the more complex story behind it and tell a tale of life in Houston as it is lived by people who aren't normally the subject of in-depth writing ... "
BLOGVERSATION: Slampo's Place.
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 12/05/06 09:18 PM |
04 December 2006
Lisa Foronda leaving Channel 11
That's according to this story posted on KHOU.com:
11 News anchor Lisa Foronda has decided to leave the news business to launch another career outside broadcast news.
“I’m ready to do something else,” Foronda said. “I want to do something that’s not in the public eye. I really like Channel 11 and I love these people and am truly fortunate to be working at a station that believes in quality journalism. I got to meet some wonderful people in the community and I’m anxious to be working with them face to face rather than talking to them through the camera.”
According to KHOU-TV President and General Manager, Peter Diaz, “This is totally Lisa’s decision. I’ve been trying to talk her out of it since she told me last month, but her mind is made up. We wish her all the best in the next chapter of her life.”
The story doesn't say what her new business will be, but she will be staying in Houston. December 22 is her last on-air date.
That's a shame. She's one of my favorite local anchors.
BLOGVERSATION: TBIFOC.
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 12/04/06 04:12 PM |
Metro: Well, okay, we might have a stray current problem
After all that hemming and hawing, stalling and pooh-poohing, Metro now admits there HAS been a rather significant stray current problem, and while Metro and Siemens are working to get it under control, there are still trouble spots (via the Chronicle's Rad Sallee):
The Metropolitan Transit Authority and its light-rail contractor have been working nights to find and fix the sites where stray electrical current is leaking into the ground from the tracks.
New tests show they've made progress, Metro said last week.
About 15 percent of the 7.5-mile line is losing current at levels that exceed the "very stringent" specifications in Metro's contract with Siemens Transportation Systems, said Bryan Pennington, the agency's vice president of planning, engineering and construction.
That compares with 45 percent of the line in April, and the level of leakage is now lower throughout its length, Pennington said.
He said the leakage poses no threat to the public but could cause damage to metal objects near the tracks in time if not corrected.
A map provided by Metro shows current leakage still exceeds contractual specifications at five segments of the line, all of which have track switches or crossovers.
By far the longest runs from Old Spanish Trail to Holcombe and includes the Texas Medical Center's Smith Lands parking lot, Metro's TMC Transit Center and the Fannin Street bridge over Brays Bayou.
Medical Center officials said recently that they and several hospitals on Fannin, where the tracks run, have hired a consultant to test for stray current in building foundations.
The second-longest segment with excessive current runs from Congress to the University of Houston-Downtown, the north end of the rail line.
It includes the Main Street bridge over Buffalo Bayou.
Short segments where the current remains a problem are at Hermann Park Station, Wheeler Station and from Webster to Pierce, near the Downtown Transit Center and Metro headquarters.
Pennington said it probably will take less than a year for leakage all along the line to be reduced to contractual levels.
Metro has been dealing with the problem since summer 2005 and working on it "intensively" — mostly at night — since April, he Pennington said.
Interestingly, a glance at our archives provides a hint at what prompted Metro to deal with the problem (apart from Centerpoint's discovery and Tom Bazan's persistence): the Texas Medical Center. In July of 2005, TMC officials first expressed concern about stray current running underneath the complex, and then this past March, TMC officials were more pointed in their criticism of Metro, saying that Metro needed to fix the problem promptly.
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 12/04/06 11:05 AM |
[Previous 20 Entries] [Next 20 Entries]