Will's Texas Parlor

Paris, Texas - the Movie

2010-05-11T09:11:00.001-05:00

The movie is re-considered with commentary in French.

PARIS, TEXAS (Wim Wenders - 1984)

Se lancer dans la critique de son film préféré constitue une démarche très intimidante, voire inabordable. Face à l'oeuvre cinématographique qui vous a le plus touché, remué, bouleversé, comment ne pas rester, par un simple avis, en deçà de la réalité ? En effet, les mots semblent vains et incapables de traduire avec justesse l'émotion et la beauté qui transpirent de Paris, Texas, film d'une force telle qu'il me serre les tripes et me renverse l'âme à chaque vision.

Récit de la renaissance d'un homme (Travis, incarné par Harry Dean Stanton), des années après une histoire d'amour passionnelle avec Jane (Nastassja Kinski), qui l'a littéralement consumé et anéanti, le film de Wenders imprime définitivement sur la rétine, dans le coeur et dans la chair du spectateur des images, des plans, des émotions, des sensations d'une force incomparable et indescriptible. Les multiples visions de ce film me serrent irrémédiablement le coeur et me rendent physiquement fébrile tant l'histoire et sa narration parviennent à se frayer un passage jusqu'à la fibre la plus infime de mon être."

Arte Publico Archival Collection

2010-05-11T08:57:00.001-05:00

The UHD (University of Houston Downtown) Blog reports on the availability of the UH-based Arte Publico collection via EBSCO.

New full-text archive: Arte Público Hispanic Historical Collection

"EBSCOhost has just released the Arte Público Hispanic Historical Collection, a historical archive focusing on content related to Hispanic history, literature and culture in the United States.

This new archive includes materials drawn from the "Recovering the U.S. Hispanic Literary Heritage Project," the largest national project ever to locate, preserve and disseminate Hispanic culture in its written form. These collections include Spanish and English language books, pamphlets, newspapers, and magazines from colonial times until 1960.

Although national in scope, the Arte Público Hispanic Historical Collection is particularly strong in materials reflecting Hispanic cultures in Texas. These Texas materials include accounts of the Texas Revolution, publications on Texas government and civil rights, a selection of Texas newspapers and magazines, and more.

Look for Arte Público Hispanic Historical Collection: Series 1 under Other Choices on the History and Spanish database pages of the UHD Library website."

http://uhdlibrary.typepad.com/news/2010/04/arte-p%C3%BAblico-hispanic-historical-collection.html

Phil Collins and the Alamo

2010-05-11T08:28:00.001-05:00

Yes, Phil Collins the British singer is fascinated with the Alamo. D Magazine. Peter Simek begins his article "File this under most random celebrity obsession: British rock star, former Genesis man, and one of those rare drummer/front men, Phil Collins, has an obsession with the Alamo. In fact, he has the largest private collection of Alamo memorabilia in the world. He will be in Dallas on May 10 to speak about his life and the collection at the Dallas Historical Society. There is more information in the release after the jump (but please ignore the ridiculousness of the unqualified remark about Collins being the best drummer in the world contained therein). Also, note to Phil Collins: Begin every lecture with the drum intro from "In the Air Tonight" and your audiences will swell." Read more about it ....

http://frontrow.dmagazine.com/2010/05/phil-collins%E2%80%99-alamo-obsession/

Is Holland Taylor Ann Richards?

2010-05-11T07:49:00.000-05:00

GALVESTON'S GRAND 1894 OPERA HOUSE PRESENTS LAUNCH OF "Money, Marbles, and Chalk!" – AN AFFECTIONATE SKETCH OF ANN RICHARDS, MAY 14-16

Galveston's 1894 Grand Opera House releases this:

"The Grand 1894 Opera House will present the launch of "Money, Marbles, and Chalk" – an affectionate sketch of Ann Richards in its first version and a one-woman show starring Emmy Award-winning stage and screen actress, Holland Taylor. Celebrating a "darling daughter of Texas", this production is scheduled for a limited engagement, May 14-16. Show times are Friday at 8pm, Saturday at 2pm and 8pm; Sunday matinee, 2pm." Read more at

http://www.thegrand.com/press2010/OH09-10MoneyMarblesandChalk.doc

And who says Galveston lost its sense of purpose and humor in the hurricane?

Is Kathleen Turner Molly Ivins?

2010-05-11T07:42:00.001-05:00

Kathleen Turner takes stage as Texas humorist Molly Ivins

Maria Recio reports for the McClatchy Newspapers

"PHILADELPHIA — Stage and screen star Kathleen Turner isn't as tall as Molly Ivins was. She isn't as loud or as imposing as the late Texas writer and humorist. But when Turner, starring in the new one-woman play, "Red Hot Patriot: The Kick-Ass Wit of Molly Ivins," kicks up her red cowboy boots, throws back her head, smiles and says drily, "I am known for my joie de vivre, as we say in Waco," she becomes Molly Ivins.

In a great tour de force, Turner delivers an extraordinary performance as Ivins, who passed away in 2007 after a high-profile career as a liberal newspaper columnist and author. Ivins was 62 when she died in Austin after several rounds with breast cancer.

She left behind a large body of work that had her signature Texas perspective.

"Thank God for Texas," says Turner as Ivins in the play. "It is a harmless perversion.""

Texas Mystery Month - May

2010-05-11T07:34:00.001-05:00

Make Mine Mystery posts activities throughout the state for "Texas Mystery Month" under the title "Texas Mystery Month, Mark Troy." It begins

"Twelve years ago, the Sisters in Crime Heart of Texas chapter came up with the idea of celebrating mysteries in Texas in the month of May. Twelve years later, that idea is still going strong. So, if you write mysteries or if you like mysteries, Texas is the place to be in May. Here is the lineup of events, courtesy of Sarah Ann Robertson, of HoTXSinC. I, personally, would love to welcome you to College Station, Texas on May 1.
Sisters in Crime Heart of Texas Chapter is pleased to announce the
Twelfth Annual 2010 Texas Mystery Month in May. Texas Mystery Month is a community service project of Sisters in Crime Heart of Texas Project. The purpose of Texas Mystery Month is to spotlight Texas Mystery Authors. All Texas Mystery Authors are invited to participate.
Texas Mystery Month events include panel discussions, book signings, author presentations and more. Austin, College Station, Houston, San Antonio and Seguin are celebrating Texas Mystery Authors with activities in May, Texas Mystery Month." Read more about it:

http://makeminemystery.blogspot.com/2010/04/texas-mystery-month-mark-troy.html

Texas Observer Writers Festival Lacunae

2010-05-10T22:18:00.001-05:00

Dick Reavis in the "Rag Blog" posts a telling commentary on the Texas Observer "Writers' Festival." Re the lack of Tejano or African Texan authors. The numerous comments that followed are equally instructive.

http://theragblog.blogspot.com/2010/05/dick-j-reavis-something-missing-at.html

Southern Methodist University Press to Die?

2010-05-09T03:47:00.001-05:00

Michael Merschel in his "Texas Pages" at the Dallas News brings news about the apparent closing of the venerated Southern Methodist University Press, est. 1937 and still quite active. He begins

"The future of the award-winning Southern Methodist University Press is at risk today after university provost Paul W. Ludden announced plans to suspend operations for budgetary reasons. (Link is to today's Dallas Morning News story.)

Ludden noted that "challenging budgetary times" are when "difficult and sometimes unpopular decisions must be made." He said that "By suspending operations rather than closing the press with finality, we retain the option to resume the press in a renewed form in the future."

Mark Long's comment regarding the reversion of copyright control to the original authors is point to remember -- for the authors and potential re-printing by other presses.

The Parlor wonders if this will be followed by a re-start with only digital publishing as did Rice University recently.

TEKS Watch

2010-05-04T11:47:00.001-05:00

Inquiring minds may wish to follow UTEP's

"The state of Texas is currently revising its K-12 social studies Texas curriculum. The process begins with the standards--known as the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS)--and will then move on to textbooks, testing, and educator certification.

TEKSWatch exists to educate citizens--in Texas and the nation--and encourage them to participate in the conversation."

http://organizations.utep.edu/Default.aspx?tabid=64604

Texas Wildflowers by Slight Clutter

2010-05-04T11:19:00.001-05:00

Texas Wildflowers by slight clutter

Creative Commons, some rights reserved

http://www.flickr.com/photos/slightclutter/7221242/

Slight Clutter's original caption: "Took off on a hunt for wildflowers yesterday. My search took me to Brenham, Texas. This photo was taken alongside the road near an overpass.

I have to add that I suffered greatly for my "art," leaving Brenham with at least four dreadfully painful fire ant bites. Oh, but don't worry, they got there's in the end -- I promise you. mwahaahaahaahaa! "

Journal of Texas Women Writers

2010-05-04T09:30:00.001-05:00

Journal of Texas Women Writers a digital Journal

Description from the Texas Digital Library page: "Journal of Texas Women Writers (JoTWW) is an online, peer-reviewed, biannual journal dedicated to fostering Texas women's writing and to studying texts by Texas women writers. JoTWW publishes creative writing (nonfiction, fiction, poetry, etc.) by women writers from or currently living in Texas, scholarly articles about the lives and texts of women writers from Texas and/or women writers who have lived for significant periods in Texas, brief encyclopedic entries on cultural issues relevant to Texas women's writing, as well as reviews of creative, critical, and biographical studies that include Texas women writers. JoTWW's critical articles focus on well-known Texas women writers, such as Katherine Anne Porter (below), Sandra Cisneros, Mary Karr, and Gloria E. Anzaldúa, on lesser-known Texas women writers (such as Dorothy Scarborough, Jane Gilmore Rushing, and Naomi Shihab Nye), and on non-Texas women writers whose texts are set in—or are in some way related to—Texas."

http://journals.tdl.org/JTexwomenwrit/issue/current

Vol. 1 No. 2 (2009) Table of Contents

Vol 1, No 2 (2009)

Foreword

Foreword	PDF
Linda Kornasky

Articles

The Moral Path: Personal Responsibility and Altruism in the Works of Katherine Anne Porter	PDF
Rachel Season McCoppin

The Consumption of Simulacra: Deconstructing Otherness in Katherine Anne Porter's Mexican Conceptual Space	PDF
Travis Hubbs

Fiction

Maybe-so	PDF
Dana Glossbrenner

Poetry

"Finish Him Freer," "Bee Killer," and "Spirited Festivities"	PDF
Danielle R. Jimenez

"At the World Trade Center," "Looking at a Painting by Rousseau," "Song for New Orleans (to the victims of Huricane Katrina," and "At Blarney Castle"	PDF
Carol Coffee Reposa

"Morning Snow" and "Coast"	PDF
Lin Anaki

Digital Collections - Texas History, Literature, etc.

2010-05-04T09:22:00.001-05:00

The Texas Digital Library (http://www.tdl.org/ ) connects you to a variety of colleges' digital collections.

Texas A&M University at College Station

Texas A&M University at Qatar

Texas Tech University

University of Houston

University of Texas at Austin

University of Texas at Dallas

TDL Federated Repository

Repositories at TDL LABS

See some sample stories at http://www.tdl.org/member-stories/#UHDL

The TDL Conference is May 17-18

State Preservation Plan - 10 year review

2010-05-04T09:15:00.001-05:00

Tracey Silverman passes along this news.

HELP CREATE TEXAS' STATEWIDE PRESERVATION PLAN!

Every 10 years, the THC and our partners develop a Statewide Preservation Plan for Texas. This is an important opportunity to lay a pathway for Texans to preserve, protect and leverage our historic and cultural assets for the betterment of our communities. We envision this plan being a dynamic, web-based tool loaded with resources, best practices, case studies and local applications. It will have an eye toward achievable goals and activities that we can all implement at the local, regional and state level. But in order for this plan to be about you, we need your help. Here are two easy ways you can get involved:

1. Come to a planning forum. We'll be in your neck of the woods this summer, so mark your calendars for a statewide planning forum near you. Get up to date details on these forums, including printable flyers, by visiting our meetings page.

· Canyon - May 20, 1:30-4 p.m. at the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum

· Canton - May 25, 1:30-4 p.m. at the Canton Plaza Museum

· Beaumont - June 15, 1:30-4 p.m. at the Jefferson County Courthouse

· El Paso - June 28, 6-8:30 p.m. (location TBD)

· Alpine - June 29, evening reception; June 30, planning forum, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the Museum of the Big Bend

· Brownsville - July 15, 6-8:30 p.m. at the Alonso Building

· San Angelo - July 22, 1:30-4 p.m. at the Cactus Hotel

· Austin - July 28, 4-6:30 p.m. (location TBD)

RSVP to any of these meetings by contacting Rebecca Orr at rebecca.orr@thc.state.tx.us or 512.936.9615.

2. Visit our blog! We recently launched the Statewide Plan blog as a tool to keep everyone informed and involved. You'll find information about the plan and work to date, our draft themes/issues, news, resources and ways to get involved. We envision the blog to be an open dialogue about historic preservation, the challenges we face and the opportunities we can harness through a statewide plan. Come often and share what's on your mind.

We look forward to your participation!

Tracey Silverman, Agency Planner, Administrative Division, Texas Historical Commission, P.O. Box 12276, Austin, TX 78711-2276, 512.936.9615. www.thc.state.tx.us

1813 Texas Revolution

2010-05-03T08:38:00.001-05:00

For Austin historian, Tejano declaration has special meaning

By Juan Castillo , in his Somos Austin blog, reminds us of the Texas independence revolution in 1813, in his posting, "For Austin historian, Tejano declaration has special meaning," It begins:

"Every year since 2007, history scholars and history buffs dressed in period costumes of the early 1800s gather to re-enact a forgotten piece of the story of Texas — the declaration by Tejano settlers of the first Republic of Texas on April 6, 1813.

As he prepares to commemorate that history again tomorrow in San Antonio — at 2 p.m. in front of the Spanish Governor's Palace, 105 Plaza de Armas — historian Dan Arellano says the fourth-annual Tejano Declaration of Independence re-enactment has even more meaning this time.

If the social studies curriculum endorsed by the State Board of Education is approved next month, the First Republic won't be overlooked anymore, at least not in Texas schoolbooks, said Arellano, the president of the Tejano Genealogy Society of Austin. The Austin group co-sponsors the re-enactment with the Bexareno Genealogy Society of San Antonio."

Lone Star Lit 101

2010-05-02T12:22:00.001-05:00

Cindy Hughes , Executive Director of the Writers League of Texas and founding director of the Texas Book Festival, provides an interesting list of Texas authors from the previous two decades in the "Dog Canyon." She calls it "Lone Star Lit 101." Includes literature, history, a wide variety of literary forms: Bestsellers, Prize winners, Westerns, Children's books, Poets, Journalists, Texas Monthly, Dang Good Books, Mysteries, Inspirational, Grand Dames, Romances, Science Fiction, and Historians. About 70 authors in all.

She says "Unlike so-called Southern literature, which tends to focus on family, the history of the south, and even race and Gothic mystique, Texas lit doesn't have a distinctive Texas voice or typical subject matter. That is quite okay with me. Why should Texas writers echo one another and all be forced to write about Texas? I would argue that the fact that Texas writers crank out such an amazing variety of books makes our literary scene the most vibrant in the whole United States. Take that, Big Apple!"

Folks at the Parlor and Bookshelf suggest that the lack of a distinctive voice simply marks Texas as a large and diverse community where the wide open spaces also reflect the wide open minds of Texans.

Retro / Metro Texas

2010-05-02T11:57:00.001-05:00

Michael B. Ennis provides and interesting essay on old Texas and new Texas under the title "No Hat, No Cattle" via Texas Monthly.

http://michaelbennis.wordpress.com/award-winning-non-fiction/from-concept-to-publication-reinventing-texas/no-hat-no-cattle/

DRT Elaine Davis Award

2010-05-02T11:34:00.001-05:00

News from "Inside the Gates" at the Alamo:

"The Daughters of The Republic of Texas Library is now accepting applications for the 2010 Elaine B. Davis Research Award.

Professors, undergraduates, graduate students, genealogists, and independent scholars interested in using the library's unique materials for research are encouraged to apply. The Davis Award provides one grant of $400. The winning applicant must use the funds to offset travel, lodging, and photocopy costs incurred in the course of conducting research at the DRT Library." Read more about it: http://drtlibrary.wordpress.com/2010/03/29/applications-are-now-being-accepted-for-the-elaine-b-davis-research-award/

Texas Observer Writers' Festival

2010-04-09T12:06:00.001-05:00

The Observing folks offer a new Writers' Festival

Join us for the First Annual
Texas Observer Writers' Festival
Celebrating Texas books and authors

featuring
Jim Lehrer
executive editor and anchor of The NewsHour on PBS will talk about his new novel
Super
A Random House Hardcover to be released April 20, 2010

Saturday, May 8, 12-6 pm, Scholz Garten in Austin

Then join us for six sessions on books, art and culture:
Jan Reid & Bill Minutaglio - Writing About Texas Music
Joe Landsdale& Robert Leleux - East Texas Scribblers
H.W. Brands, Jim Hightower, & Sissy Farenthold - Pride and Populism
Alison Macor& Josh Rosenblatt - Austin Film on Paper
Jake Silverstein& Bob Moser - Texas Journalism, Fact and Fiction
Sarah Bird& Spike Gillespie - Texas-Sized Humor

Preserve Historic Structure and Archeological Sites

2010-04-06T16:41:00.001-05:00

An ALERT from the Texas Historical Commission

Texas Preservation Trust Fund

Fiscal Year 2010 Grant Program

The Texas Historical Commission (THC) is accepting Texas Preservation Trust Fund Grant Program applications for fiscal year 2010. Application forms are now available on the THC web site at http://www.thc.state.tx.us/grantsincent/gratptf.shtml, or by contacting the THC at 512/463-6094.

The deadline for receipt of applications is 5 p.m. on Friday, June 11, 2010.

The Texas Preservation Trust Fund Grant Program application process for fiscal year 2010 will be a two step process. First, all applicants are required to submit a brief application form to the THC for review. The THC will select the highest priority projects from the initial applications and invite those applicants to move forward to the second step. Successful applicants will continue the process by submitting detailed project proposals by November 30, 2010. Full project proposals will be considered by the THC for final grant awards in January 2011.

The Texas Preservation Trust Fund Grant Program is your opportunity to save and protect Texas' threatened historic structures and significant archeological sites. Grant awards may be used for restoration work, architectural planning, archeological investigation, preservation planning, curatorial, resource survey, and heritage educational training.

By submitting an application, you are notifying our office of educational needs in your community and advising us of endangered historic properties and archeological sites that may soon be lost if this valuable assistance is not provided. We encourage you to submit an application so we may continue to demonstrate the need for our efforts.

Play a part in preserving significant historic resources and providing heritage education across Texas!

For questions regarding this grant program, contact the THC Architecture Division at 512/463-6094.

Historic School Buildings

2010-04-06T16:37:00.001-05:00

An ALERT from the Texas Historical Commission:

National Trust for Historic Preservation Seeks Applications for Pilot Grant Program for Historic School Buildings

Do you know of a historic school in need of preservation funding? The National Trust for Historic Preservation, in partnership with the Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation, is currently seeking applications for a new pilot grant program that will fund the stabilization or rehabilitation of historic school buildings by providing funding for construction expenses. Once construction is complete, these buildings must be open to the public for use by the community.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations, government agencies, and school districts/school boards are eligible to apply. Religious organizations are not eligible for funding. The maximum grant amount will be $50,000.

Grant application must be postmarked by April 30, 2010. To read the complete guidelines and eligibility requirements, and to download an application form, visit the National Trust's web site, and scroll down to
the section titled "Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation Preservation Fund."

PLEASE DIRECT ALL INQUIRIES TO:

Southwest Field Office / National Trust for Historic Preservation
500 Main Street, Suite 1030 / Fort Worth, Texas 76102 / Phone: 817-332-4398 / Fax: 817-332-4512

Wildflowers Map DoT

2010-04-06T15:33:00.001-05:00

The Texas Department of Transportation keeps an interactive map showing the current reportings of "Texas Wildflowers and Fall Foliage." Today there are 97 reporting sites. The map will not reproduce here, but find it at

http://www.dot.state.tx.us/GIS/FLORA_main/viewer.htm

Archives War video

2010-04-06T09:08:00.001-05:00

Sarah Jackson (that's not Sarah in the photo; it's Angelinia Eberly shooting off her cannon's mouth; photo courtesy of Wikipedia) at the Harris County Archives alerts us to a new video on the removal of the capital from Austin to Houston and the famous or infamous "Archives War." The video is part of television channel KTBU 55's historical "Postcards From Texas" series. President Lamar wished to move the capital for a good reason - attract settlement across Texas. Then Houston, the next president and the city, objected. I don't mean to shock you, but politics, personal jealosies, city pride, national security, and pecuniary matters of concern motivations emerge. We wont spoil the plot of the story by telling you who eventually won. But remember, the story is "weird." See "Houston: The Original Capital", according to historian Stephen Hardin, archivist David Gracy, and others at

http://www.myhoustons55.com/_Houston-The-Original-Capitol-of-Texas/video/966502/38668.html

http://www.tsl.state.tx.us/treasures/republic/archwar/archwar.html

Skulls, Slaves, and Sex, Secrets of Early Texas

2010-04-06T07:58:00.001-05:00

The Friends of the San Jacinto Battleground pass along this Symposium news:

ANNOUNCING the 10th Annual Battle of San Jacinto Symposium - Saturday April 17, 2010 - Hilton Hotel and Conference Center, University of Houston Central Campus

"SKULLS, SLAVES, and SEX: SECRETS OF EARLY TEXAS"

Discovery of the Mexican Soldier Skulls -- In 2009, Symposium founder Jeff Dunn discovered the existence of six skulls of Mexican soldiers who were killed in the battle of San Jacinto. Four of these skulls were retrieved by American naturalist John James Audubon during his trip to Galveston and Houston in May 1837 and sent to his friend Samuel Morton. Morton was a natural scientist who lived in Philadelphia and collected crania from around the world. Two other Morton colleagues also sent him skulls of slain Mexican soldiers from San Jacinto battlefield. Morton's unique collection, including these six Mexican soldier skulls, is now preserved at the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology in Philadelphia. Following this exciting discovery the Symposium Committee through Jan DeVault retained internationally-renowned Doug Owsley of the Smithsonian Institution to conduct a forensic examination of the skulls. His research findings will be presented publicly for the first time at the 2010 Symposium. More on the Mexican skulls is available right now, just click this title "The Mexican Soldier Skulls of San Jacinto" .

But we aren't stopping with skulls. We also have outstanding scholars who will be talking about slavery in Texas, Sam Houston's legal problems with his Texas girlfriend, and sex in revolutionary Texas!

Our speakers for the 2010 Symposium:

Jeff Dunn, founder of the San Jacinto Symposium, on the discovery of the Mexican skulls

Dr. Ron Tyler, Director, Amon Carter Museum, Fort Worth, on John James Audubon's visit to Texas in May 1837

Doug Owsley, Division of Physical Anthropology, Smithsonian Museum of Natural History, Washington, DC, on the forensic examination of the six skulls of Mexican soldiers killed at the battle of San Jacinto, discovered in the Samuel Morton Collection

Dr. Andrew Torget, Assistant Professor of History, University of North Texas, Denton, on his groundbreaking digital Texas Slavery Project

James W. Paulsen, Professor of Law, South Texas College of Law, Houston, on the marital legal issues that complicated the romance between Sam Houston and Anna Raguet

Lael Morgan, author and lecturer of Communications, University of Texas at Arlington, on sex in revolutionary Texas

And returning as moderator, Dr. James E. Crisp, Associate Professor of History, North Carolina State University.

El Paso Literary Heritage - Con Tinta

2010-03-24T11:12:00.001-05:00

From La Bloga, we learn that El Paso literary heritage receives notice via two of of their children who led lives of leadership in the Tejano and Chicano literary renaissance. They've received "Achievement Awards" from Con Tinta (see http://www.facebook.com/continta ), which "believes in affirming a pro-active presence in American literature. We come together in the spirit of intellectual/artistic dialogue and of recognizing our literary/social histories. Con Tinta's mission is to create awareness through cultivating emerging talent, through promoting creative expression, and through establishing alliances with other cultural/political organizations." Pásame el sobre, por favor. And the winners are ....

Abelardo "Lalo" Delgado http://www.xispas.com/poetry/delgado.htm

and Dr. Alicia Gaspar de Alba http://www.aliciagaspardealba.net/biography.html

The awards will be given at the upcoming Association of Writers and Writing Programs ( http://www.awpwriter.org/ )

Previous ACHIEVEMENT AWARD RECIPIENTS
2006 (Austin) – raúlrsalinas and Rolando Hinjosa-Smith
2007 (Atlanta) – Judith Ortiz Cofer
2008 (New York City) – Sandra María Esteves and Tato Laviera
2009 (Chicago) – Carlos Cortez
2010 (Denver) – Abelardo "Lalo" Delgado and Dr. Alicia Gaspar de Alba

Read more at http://labloga.blogspot.com/

Medina Courthouse - Storage or Restoration

2010-03-24T09:21:00.000-05:00

Medina County offcials are beset with problems. Yes, they need office space, yes, the courthouse could be restored, yes, the Texas Historical Commission will pay much of the Restoration cost, yes but the 1940's wings must be removed to qualify for the funds. Hey, says one guy, just leave it as it is and use it for storage.
Written story at http://www.kens5.com/news/A-Historic-Showdown--88680162.html

DRT Texas 23rd History Forum May 22

2010-03-24T07:44:00.001-05:00

News from the "Inside the Gates" at the Alamo

"The Daughters of the Republic of Texas Library in San Antonio will be holding its twenty-third Texas History Forum on Saturday, May 22, 2010, in Alamo Hall on the Alamo Complex. Entitled "Historiography: Texas History Detectives," this year's Forum will feature presentations by three distinguished historians, Gregg Cantrell, James E. Crisp, and Light T. Cummins.

What is historiography?

Historiography is the history of historical writing, specifically the history of how scholars have interpreted historical topics over time. In order to understand this, historiography also necessitates the study of why historians have chosen to examine and describe the past in particular ways." Read more about it at

http://drtlibrary.wordpress.com/2010/03/18/23rd-texas-history-forum-to-be-held-on-may-22/

Fess Parker dies but Davy lives!

2010-03-23T20:28:00.001-05:00

Well, Fess Parker, the Texan who played Davy Crockett, King of the Wild Frontier, for all us baby boomers out there, has died. But Evan Lewis, Western writer, wishes to contradict that fact in his delightfully ranging Western website "Davy Crockett's Almanack." See his posting for a remarkable collection of Parker in the obligtory coonskin cap and dozens of other images (movie posters, book jackets, wallets, comic books, paraphenalia, photos, purses, serving trays, song sheets, cups, record albums, buttons, etc.) in graphic display at

http://davycrockettsalmanack.blogspot.com/2010/03/fess-parker-lives_18.html

And, yes, Betsy is included. I still wish I had that lunch bucket.

Methodical Clerical Change in Harleton

2010-03-20T10:09:00.001-05:00

THIS IS TEXAS, in case you forgot

The Longview News Journal carried this story "Pastor, 90, retires from Church" by Glenn Evans. It begins:

"HARLETON — Built in 1914, the sanctuary at Harleton United Methodist Church was a six-year-old structure when Curtis Jennings was born.

The Rev. Jennings retired from his second go-around as a Methodist minister on Sunday, 24 years after coming to the historic sanctuary tucked in the sharp S-curve where FM 450 enters the Harrison County town.

"I always had the desire to preach to a small-town church," Jennings, who turned 90 this past Wednesday, said before the service. "This has been a real privilege. I don't intend to quit (preaching). As long as I have left, I'm going to read my Bible and brag on my wonderful God."

Succumbing to a call to preach in 1949, Jennings retired a first time in 1984. Two years later the former welder and World War II veteran was moving to East Texas. On Sunday, he recalled receiving 84 new church members and lamented the deaths of 40 others during his tenure." Read more about it at

http://www.news-journal.com/news/article_9f6fe9bc-2aee-11df-b4ea-001cc4c03286.html

(Full disclosure: The Main Parlor's father was from Harleton, and the Parlor himself once studied for the Methodist pulpit.)

Some librarian needs to make a "ready reference card" under the subject "Preachers - Long serving" Some historian needs to visit the various Texas denominational historical depositories and find who were the 10 oldest preachers in Texas for a collected biography volume.

Observations on the Pulpwood Queens Book Club

2010-03-19T12:41:00.001-05:00

Robert Leleux, "Tex in the City" beautiful penman of the Observing Tribe, has gone to Canossa, aka Jefferson, and paid his humble dues unto Queen Kathy and returned with laudatory commentary much higher than the mouse under the throne.

For the retinue's applause said report "Fake Fur, Big Hair, and la Vie Litteraire," is hereby made available for your perusal at your leisure, and pertaining to your reading pleasure. For those still beyond the pale, wandering in ignorance, you also may draw sustenance through Leleux's narrative. And yes a photographic depiction so sensitively captured by Ron Munden does precede the narrative exposition for those with no reading skills whatsoever.

Leleux begins: "Most folks celebrate the holidays with their own quaint traditions, and I'm surely no exception. Every year around Martin Luther King Day, a couple of hundred friends and I converge upon the deep woods of East Texas, dressed in hot pink satin, leopard-print capes and enough rhinestone tiaras to choke the entire Royal Court of the Cotton Bowl parade. Then we rat each other's wigs, throw a couple of high-steppin' theme parties, and award much-coveted statuettes to the person, for instance, who wore the best Barbie costume. Also to the person who wrote the year's best American novel." - and Leleux continues his stunning reportage online at

http://www.texasobserver.org/texinthecity/fake-fur-big-hair-and-la-vie-litteraire

(The Parlor must make full disclosure: My mother was born and raised in Jefferson.)

Austin's Old 300 Settlers' Descendants

2010-03-19T11:15:00.001-05:00

Stephen F. Austin's settlements of Southeast Texas began formally with his first group of 300 settlers. Those descendants have a organization and website. A portion of their introductory webpage reads:

"Thank you for visiting our web site. As Descendants of Austin's Old Three Hundred, we are proud of our heritage and pleased that you are interested in finding out about us.

In brief, you should know our organization held its first meeting on
June 27, 1987, in the Stephen F. Austin State Park at San Felipe, Texas.
Our initial motivations became our organization's objectives: to keep alive for inspiration, for this generation and succeeding ones, the memories of
the spirit, courage, and character of the men and women who made up Stephen Fuller Austin's first colony of Texas, known as "The Old Three Hundred."

We encourage and foster research leading to the preservation and publication of history and records about this first group of courageous Texians; therefore, we not only help sponsor students who participate in the Texas State Historical Association's "Texas History Day," but also each year we award "The Stephen F. Austin's Old Three Hundred Research Fellowship" for the best research proposal by a doctoral candidate focusing on Texas history during the years 1820 through 1836. Austin's Old Three Hundred is proud to partner with the Texas State Historical Association in both of these educational endeavors.

We also assist in the preservation and protection of historical places and artifacts, including old cemeteries and other sites where Old Three Hundred colonists are buried."
Some other pages include

Read more at: http://www.austinold300.org/

Bexar Archives Going Electric

2010-03-18T11:35:00.001-05:00

News from UT's CAH:

"Briscoe Center Awarded TexTreasures Grant for Bexar Archives

February 25, 2010

AUSTIN, Texas – The Dolph Briscoe Center for American History at the University of Texas at Austin has been awarded a TexTreasures grant to support online access to the Bexar Archives. The $19,930 grant was awarded by the Texas State Library and Archives Commission who administers the grant program with funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. The grant will fund a one-year project to create the Bexar Archives Online, a web-based, searchable research tool featuring digital images of the original Spanish-language documents along with the corresponding English-language translations.

Rebolledo's comments on Gálvez instructions to Domingo Terán, with suggestions for the founding of settlements at Béxar, La Bahía, and among the Asinais and Cadodaches, circa 1717. Bexar Archives, Briscoe Center for American History, University of Texas at Austin; di_05751.

"As the Bexar Archives are one of our most historically significant collections, I'm thrilled that this grant will improve access to this invaluable resource," said Don Carleton, executive director of the Briscoe Center. "This new initiative will create a powerful online presence for the Bexar Archives that will benefit researchers worldwide. It's a fitting continuation of the tremendous care and resources that the University has provided the Bexar Archives for more than 100 years."

Called "one of the greatest historical treasures of the American continent" by the late historian Lester Gladstone Bugbee, the Bexar Archives constitute the principal resource for the Spanish and Mexican history of Texas from 1717 to 1836. The TexTreasures project will digitize over 8,000 pages of original documents (via microfilm) and 125 volumes of corresponding translations, and will result in a web-based interface called Bexar Archives Online."

Parlor: Remember the project is planned to take about a year. But get ready.

Will's Texana Youtube Channel

2010-03-17T22:04:00.005-05:00

After listening to the above video, click on the below link to go to the full site.
http://wwww.youtube.com/willstexana

Upon arrival at Will's Texana Channel: Use the PLAYLIST button (then grid).

This Will's Texana Youtube Channel is created as a collector's channel, i.e., to collect videos from other folks' channels about Texas history, literature, nature, and other civilized contributions to modern Texas life. At present there are over 1,000 videos in the PLAYLISTS option, grouped in over 100 topical PLAYLISTS.
The playlists and the selected videos are woefully inadequate for the broadest coverage, even if selective. But it does link you to interesting videos (often downloadable for separate use).
Some are academic, others popular, some arcane. I've been selective Will's Texana Channel is created to provide some use and to demonstrate the utility of the video medium as a useful and growing means of exploring our community bibliography.
In the "SUBSCRIPTIONS" box on my site, you'll find over 70 that I recommend your consideration for subscription. Some are infrequent, other frequent in adding postings.
You also can subscribe to a channel if you have already established a Youtube channel for yourself. It's easy and free. You don't even have to post a video yourself, but it does enable you to subscribe and you'll receive occasional email notices from Youtube about new postings to the channels that you select. Click the RSS button to subscribe.
(See the next posting in the Texas Parlor for a sample of notices I've received recently.
If you wish to start a channel but are hesitant, contact me at willstexana {at} yahoo dot com
Good luck ! Will's Texana Channel http://wwww.youtube.com/willstexana

New Texana Videos on Youtube

2010-03-17T20:22:00.001-05:00

New Videos from texasfarmbureau

New Videos from HeirloomProject

Pittsburg Promo Video

New Videos from: "history texas"

The History of The Prairie

Texas Longhorn Football History

ALSO REMEMBER TO VISIT http://www.youtube.com/willstexana

Texas Handbook and Communities

2010-03-17T20:10:00.001-05:00

TSHA's Handbook of Texas Online staff has been collecting articles by selected categories now for some time for your convenient research and browsing. One category is the "Communites Section" where maybe thousands of counties, cities, towns, and smaller communities have been handily collected alphabetically. For example,

Communities
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M |
N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

Counties
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M |
N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

Check it out at:

http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/browse/we.html

Texas Plantation Life

2010-03-17T19:52:00.001-05:00

The Heritage Society in Houston passes along this infomation.

March 18, 2010
Hill/Finger Lecture The Uncompromising Diary of Sallie McNeill
by Ginny Raska and Mary Lynne Hill
The Heritage Society Tea Room 12-1 p.m., $5 admission for non-members
Ginny McNeill Raska and Mary Lynne Hill will present the March 18 lecture in honor of National Women's Month. Ms. Raska and Ms. Hill have recently released their book, The Uncompromising Diary of Sallie McNeill, 1858-1867. This diary provides a glimpse of everyday life on an antebellum plantation in Texas and reveals the thoughts and observations of an educated young woman of the planter class. Ms. Raska, who transcribed the original diary, is a descendent of Sallie McNeill. Ms. Hill participated in the archeological field school at the Levi Jordan plantation in Brazoria County and utilized the diary as the basis of her Master's thesis.

If you would like to reserve a box lunch for this lecture, please contact Elizaabeth Martin by 11 a.m. on Wednesday, March 17, 2010.

Lowman American / Texas History Collection

2010-03-17T19:48:00.001-05:00

The Texas State Historical Assn passes along this infomation.

Dear Texas History Lover,

A unique opportunity will occur at 1:30 EDT on Wednesday, March 18. Collectors of rare books will be able to bid on the American History portion of the Al Lowman Library and to know that proceeds from the sale will support TSHA.

Al Lowman very generously donated his library of more than 10,000 books to the Association. Selections from the Texas portion of his library appeared in the Live Auction and the Silent Auction during the 2010 Annual Meeting held March 4-6, 2010.

Proceeds from the sales of Al Lowman's Collection will be used to establish an award to be given for books on Texas county or local history. Mr. Lowman hopes the creation of the award will stimulate more interest and writing in that category.

Al Lowman, TSHA President 2000-2001

The Al Lowman Collection of American History and Literature will be auctioned by Swann Auction Galleries of New York City at 1:30 pm EDT, on March 18, 2010 as part of its Printed and Manuscript Americana Auction. Proceeds from the sale will benefit TSHA.

Lots 261-354 in the Swann Auciton Gallery Online Catalogue are from the Al Lowman Collection. For the Auction, Swann Auction Galleries will accept online bids.

During a lifetime of collecting, Al Lowman amassed more than 10,000 books, all of which are in collector's condition. Most are first editions, many are signed, some have authorial inscriptions, and all original dust jackets are intact. Find out more...

Texas Historical Commission's Preservation Conf

2010-03-16T20:58:00.001-05:00

Harris County Judge Ed Emmett's March newsletter carried this notice.

The 2010 Annual Historic Preservation Conference
in Houston/Harris County

The conference, hosted by the Texas Historical Commission in association with Preservation Texas, will be held at
	the Westin Oaks Houston Hotel, 5011 Westheimer, on April 22-24. Sessions focusing on themes of resource fundamentals, resource development, preservation advocacy and public engagement will provide valuable information for preservationists in any community, large or small. Enjoy the opening session "King of the Road Trip" with special guest and award-winning speaker Michael Wallis, author, storyteller and self-proclaimed "Son of Route 66." Pre-conference tours on Thursday, hosted by local preservation partners, will highlight Houston's Art Deco and mid-century architecture. Saturday's post-conference tours will take you to the annual San Jacinto battle reenactment or the Clayton Library for Genealogical Research. On Thursday, workshops will be provided for county historical commissions and city preservation commissions. This year, a Section 106 Workshop for Professionals also will be offered.
If you have any questions, visit the 2010 Annual Historic Preservation Conference Web site or contact Mae Perkins at 512-463-6255 or mae.perkins@thc.state.tx.us.

Houston Metropolitan Research Center Reopens April 5

2010-03-15T17:39:00.001-05:00

The Houston Public Library offers this news release.

"(Houston, March 15, 2010) - The Houston Public Library is pleased to announce that the Houston Metropolitan Research Center (HMRC) will reopen to the public on Monday, April 5, 2010. Customers will be able to access HMRC resources Monday through Saturday, 9am to 6pm. Resources available include the collections and archives at the Texas and Local History Room. JIB is located at 400 McKinney, 77002, with the entrance of the new wing located through the garden on the Lamar and Smith sides of the building.

The design of the new 21,500 square-foot state-of-the-art archival wing harmonizes with the Spanish Plateresque architecture, with its matching masonry, a clay tile parapet, arched windows, and sculptural decoration. The construction includes an extremely energy-efficient and weather-resistant exterior envelope to protect the archival collection.

HMRC closed to public access at the end of 2009 while it moved its collections to the recently-completed new wing of the Julia Ideson Building (JIB). The collections are now in the new wing which includes a spacious research/reference room on the first floor and three floors of high-density shelving for the valuable holdings of the HMRC. The wing is complemented by a new south loggia and adjacent palm-shaded public garden, also called the outdoor reading room. The two-story loggia, like the wing, was a part of the original plan for the 1926 building but never constructed. It provides open-air seating on both levels and a gracious transition from the first floor of the original building to the outdoor reading room.

Currently, the new wing is the only portion of JIB open to the public while the renovation on the rest of the building is completed. The building is now undergoing hazardous materials abatement and selective demolition of non-historic elements to prepare for new mechanical and electrical infrastructure, new elevators, and restoration of the historical interior materials. The renovation will take about a year, after which the Houston Public Library will spend several months moving the architectural archives and photo lab into the restored building and preparing to reopen in early Summer 2011."

Call for Papers West Texas Historical Assn

2010-03-15T15:13:00.001-05:00

THE WEST TEXAS HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION
Tai Kreidler, Exec. Dir. of the WTHA ,sends the Associations's invititation for proposals for papers to be presented at the 88th annual meeting hosted in Lubbock, Texas, March 31—April 2, 2011. Topics should cover historical subjects pertaining to West Texas and the surrounding region.

For individual proposals please include the name of presenter, title of paper, and a one-paragraph overview of the paper. Proposals for compete sessions are encouraged. For session proposals please include the name of a moderator, the name of three presenters, the title of their papers, and a one-paragraph overview of each paper. Presentations must be NO longer than 20 minutes.
DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION: November 1, 2010. Presenters will be notified of acceptance by December 14, 2010.
Send proposals to: Program Committee, West Texas Historical Association, Texas Tech University, P.O. 41041, Lubbock, Texas 79409; or via email to 'programcommittee@wtha.org.' Phone inquiries can be made to 806/742-9076.

For more information about the WTHA go to WTHA.org

BLUEGRASS AND TRAINS APRIL 10TH

2010-03-15T08:23:00.002-05:00

"The preservers of history are as heroic as its makers."
-Texas Governor Pat M. Neff (1871-1952)

Its just around the corner--the Houston Railroad Museum's second annual

BLUEGRASS BY THE TRACKS AND RAILFAIR
Saturday April 10th
Live music all afternoon, doors open at 11 am
Food, fun, model railroad flea market, museum tours
7390 Mesa Road, in northeast Houston(McCarty Road exit off I 610)

BRING A LAWNCHAIR

Featured performers: Lonestar Bluegrass Band, Digger Davis and Tombstone, Texas Harmony, and Dr. Rod Moag and pals; Larry Burnside, master of ceremonies.

www.houstonRRmuseum.org or 713 319 8906 for more information

Texas Cemetery Rules Change

2010-03-10T09:58:00.001-06:00

Trevia Beverly suggests for the undead wishing to review the proposed rules changes in the Texas Administrative Code, notice this notice.

13 TAC §§22.1 - 22.6

§ 716.302. DISPOSITION OF CREMATED REMAINS.

Cemetery rules for Title 13, Part 2, Chapter 22 of the Texas Administrative Code were posted in the Texas Register for comment today, Friday March 5^th. The comment period will end Monday, April 5^th. The purpose of the rules is to implement changes to the law regarding cemeteries made by House Bill 2927, 81^st Texas Legislature, 2009.

To view the posted rules, visit www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/index.shtml and look for the Points of Interest window in the right-hand portion of the screen. Choose to view an HTML or PDF version of the Register.

To comment on these posted rules, send written comments to the Texas Historical Commission, attention Mark Wolfe, PO Box 12276, Austin TX 78711-2276.

Houston History in the Examiner - Marie Brannon

2010-03-09T07:59:00.001-06:00

Marie Brannon writes a column on Houston, Texas history for the Examiner. And doing right well at it.

Her self-description includes: "Marie Brannon has been interested in local history since 1961 when hurricane Carla shattered the windows of her house and damaged the high school she was attending. She was educated in the Houston area, married in Houston, employed in the area and has now retired to the suburbs. She can be reached at goodsearch@aol.com " Marie's been poking around Houston history for some year's now, and the Examiner offers a delightful place for her work. Check it out at:

http://www.examiner.com/x-22079-Houston-History-Examiner?showbio

Some recent entries are

First Houston Fat Stock Show held downtown in 1932

Sunday, March 7th, 2010 · 1 comment

They came in horse-drawn wagons, Model A and Model T Ford pickup trucks and on horseback. They came from Waller, Hempstead, Missouri City, Sugar Land,...
Keep Reading »

Happy birthday to Tommy Tune

Sunday, February 28th, 2010 · 1 comment

It's hard to believe he's a septuagenarian, isn't it? Wasn't it just the other day he left Houston for the Big Apple?...
Keep Reading »

The Weingarten mansion in Riverside Terrace

Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010 · 6 comments

Despite years of neglect, it still sits proudly at the corner of South MacGregor Way and Oakcrest Drive in the Riverside Terrace area of Houston. Joe...
Keep Reading »

Political History - Sharpstown - Oral history

2010-03-05T11:08:00.001-06:00

Some folks point to the Sharpstown Scandal (ca. 1970-72) as a major turning point in modern political history. The Texas Observer revives interest in Primary Election history in its recent article "When the Democrats Roamed ... A look back at the 1972 Democratic primary that changed the future of Texas politics" by Robert Green. Of particular use to historians and political voyeurs is the almost 30 minutes of recent oral history collected by Green from Sissy Fahrenthold, Ben Barnes, and Mark White. For our new immigrants and our children, be aware that once upon a time, a public perception arose that our Austin government was swayed by influential money. Politics has changed so much, for instance, in 1970 some extolled a "golden-haired" hero, in 2010 some extoll "Mr. Goodhair." Read and listen at :

http://www.texasobserver.org/culture/when-the-democrats-roamed

Texas Bison Association

2010-02-27T12:58:00.001-06:00

Self-description: "The Texas Bison Association is dedicated to sharing its knowledge and passion for the Native American Bison. These majestic animals are woven into the fabric of our country, a symbol of our rich past as well as our bright future.

Watching Bison graze your pasture is an experience unequaled in ranching today. The Texas Bison Association is here to help you get started with your own herd, or visit one of ours to learn more about raising bison.

Whether you call them Buffalo or Bison, don't call 'em late for dinner! Bison meat is lower in fat and cholesterol than chicken, delivering a robust beef flavor that is rich and satisfying. Looking for meat? We have sources!

Looking for dinner? We can show you where!

Looking for recipes? We've got you covered!

Join the herd and learn more about Texas bison." Chew more at http://www.texasbison.org/

History of Texas Auto License Plates

2010-02-26T08:57:00.001-06:00

Nick DiFonzo's The Bolthole has an interesting, long, casual chronology of Texas automobile registration and license plates. Very well illustrated. He begins thisly:

"1899:

The first automobile in Texas, owned by Col. E.H.R. Green of Terell, terrorizes the Texas countryside.

1907-1916:

1907: Texas House Bill #93 required that all motor vehicles used on public roads be registered with the county clerk. The vehicle recieved a number in the order registered in each county. That number, at least six inches in height, was required to be displayed "in a counspicuous place" on the vehicle.
Registration began on Aug. 10, 1907. The first Texas license number is issued, registered to a bus owned by W.B. Chenoweth of Colorado City, TX.
Each county had its own series, from "1" onward, so many duplicate numbers existed.

Owners provided their own plates, often made from aluminum house numbers attached to leather, or from wood, tin, etc. Most of these showed only the number, with no indication of the state or county.
Many motorists used porcelain "kit plates" with interchangeable numbers and often the name of the city or county. These kits were made by a company in Chicago.
Some motorists simply painted the number on the vehicle!
These pre-1917 plates are called "pre-state" plates.
Some cities had county or city licenses in addition to that required by the state."

Some selections teach us: A star was inserted amid the numbers in 1923. Licenses became yearly in 1925. An orange color was used in 1933 and maroon in 1935. In 1939, the edges were "turned in" so that car washers wouldn't be likely to cut themselves. Read more at http://www.thebolthole.com/texas.html

Travis Writes Letter Today

2010-02-24T09:43:00.001-06:00

Today on February 24, 1836 William Barret Travis, commander of the Alamo, wrote his letter

Travis' Letter from the Alamo by adhoc alley

Some rights reserved Creative Commons

http://www.flickr.com/photos/adhocalley/533836198/

This bas-relief sculpture is on the exterior of the San Jacinto Monument.

The letter begins: "To the People of Texas and All Americans in the World," and the text declares

"I am beseiged, by a thousand or more of the Mexicans under Santa Anna -- I have sustained a continual Bombardment & cannonade for 24 hours & have not lost a man -- The enemy has demanded a surrender at discretion, otherwise, the garrison are to be put to the sword, if the fort is taken -- I have answered the demand with a cannon shot, & our flag still waves proudly from the walls -- I shall never surrender or retreat. Then, I call on you in the name of Liberty, of patriotism, & every thing dear to the American character, to come to our aid, with all dispatch -- The enemy is receiving reinforcements daily & will no doubt increase to three or four thousand in four or five days. If this call is neglected, I am determined to sustain myself as long as possible & die like a soldier who never forgets what is due to his own honor & that of his country --

VICTORY OR DEATH

William Barret Travis
Lt. Col. Comdt.

P.S. The Lord is on our side -- When the enemy appeared in sight we had not three bushels of corn -- We have since found in deserted houses 80 or 90 bushels & got into the walls 20 or 30 head of Beeves --

Travis

Swante Palm Born Today

2010-02-24T09:26:00.001-06:00

Swante Palm was born today in Sweden, as Swante Magnus Swenson, February 24 (actual life dates 1816-1896) and came to Texas in 1838. He became a major planter and rancher (SMS brand), operated an immigration service, a mercantile business, and a financial house, served as a public official, promoted the Unionist cause, and seriously boosted UT's library with donation. Swante Palm was a truly magnificent person.

Palm Library Historical Marker by elkit

Some rights reserved Creative Commons

http://www.flickr.com/photos/elkit/114382994/

Read more from the Handbook of Texas at

http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/SS/fsw14.html

Gillespie County and Enchanted Rock

2010-02-23T21:10:00.001-06:00

Enchanted Rock with Trees Growing from Cracks

by Greg Carley Some rights reserved by Creative Commons, Attribution and Noncommercial

http://www.flickr.com/photos/11818909@N06/4146684555/in/set-72157622781779833/

Chicana and Chicano Studies

2010-02-18T11:23:00.001-06:00

UT's Center for Mexican American Studies will host n February 25,26, & 27 a National Association for Chicana and Chicano Studies meeting under the title

Tejas Foco Regional Conference: Pasado, Presente, y Futuro: Forty Years of Chicana and Chicano Studies in Texas

The conference is self-described: "The year 2010 marks the 40^th anniversary of the formal establishment of Mexican American Studies in the academy in Texas. Since the early 1970s, many approaches have been developed and employed in the field of Chicana and Chicano Studies, some focusing on political economy, others on cultural studies, some focusing on the specificity of the Tejano experience, others focusing on how Texas fits into the larger experience of Mexican Americans in the United States and linkages to Mexico and Latin America. Chicana and Chicano Studies in Texas has drawn from many intellectual approaches and fields, and struggled to expand the definition of the academy, activism, and intellectual life.

The goal of the 2010 National Association for Chicana and Chicano Studies (NACCS) Tejas Foco Regional Conference is to examine questions around a "Texas School" of Chicana and Chicano Studies. Scholars of Chicana and Chicano Studies, members of NACCS, and the general public will engage the question of whether there is (or is not) a Texas-based approach to Chicana and Chicano Studies. Presentations will look at the past, present, and future of Chicana and Chicano Studies in Texas to outline such a "Texas School" of thought or may call into question the very idea of such a proposition. The conference will also consider whether there is more than one school of thought within Texas."

Attendance is free to the public.

Texas Mall History

2010-02-18T09:49:00.001-06:00

(Image of the Hall's Curator). Online is the Mall Hall of Fame, a description of many across America. Some Texas (mostly Houston and Dallas) are represented. The articles are lengthy for the casual reader with photos. Self-description: "One of many classic mall and retro retail internet sites, the MALL HALL OF FAME is a "Mid-mod" mall museum, covering shopping centers of America's mid-20th century (1950-1979). There are short articles, a few photos, and at least one physical layout drawing for every mall inducted. Please feel free to post any additional info you may be aware of. Thanks much." Some Texas sites include:

-AUSTIN METRO-
*Hancock Center
*Highland Mall
-BRYAN / COLLEGE STATION-
*Manor East Mall
-DALLAS METRO-
*Big Town Mall
*Seminary South Center
*NorthPark Center
*Irving Mall
-EL PASO-
*Bassett Center
-HOUSTON METRO-
*Gulfgate Shopping City
*Meyerland Plaza
*Sharpstown Mall
*Northline Shopping City
*Memorial City Mall
*Northwest Mall
*Galleria Post Oak / Galleria
-SAN ANTONIO METRO-
*Wonderland Shopping City

*North Star Mall

Read the articles at http://mall-hall-of-fame.blogspot.com The search box doesn't always bring up all entries when searched for "Texas." Try different words.

Historical Marker Database

2010-02-18T09:26:00.001-06:00

The international Historical Marker Database now has 748 markers that respond to the keyword "Texas."

Is your community represented?

http://www.hmdb.org/

Texas State Historical Meeting in Dallas

2010-02-18T09:15:00.001-06:00

The Texas State Historical Association
One Hundred and Fourteenth Annual Meeting

March 4-6, 2010

Dallas, Texas

Registration Available Online

Make plans now to attend the Texas State Historical Association's 2010 Annual Meeting. The 114th annual meeting will be held March 4-6, 2010 at the Marriott Quorum Hotel in Dallas, Texas located at 14901 Dallas Parkway, just south of Beltline Rd. at Dallas North Tollway. Directions and a map are available.

Special rates of $135 per night plus tax have been extended through February 24, 2010. Parking for the meeting will be complimentary. Book online: TSHA Room Block at Marriott Quorum Hotel or call (972) 661-2800 or Toll-free (800) 811-8664 and ask for the TSHA Annual Meeting."

In addition to the many programs are

Joint sessions with the Texas Oral History Association, the Texas Folklore Society, the Society of Southwest Archivists, the Texas Catholic Historical Society, the Texas Baptist Historical Society, and the Texas Supreme Court Historical Society are planned. Also scheduled are the Handbook of Texas workshop, the Quarterly and publications workshops, and the business meeting.

Texas Labor Management Hall of Fame

2010-02-18T08:36:00.000-06:00

The Texas Labor Managment Conference established a Hall of Fame in 2002 to recognize labor, management, and academics that have made major contributions to labor-management collaboration.

See Hall of Fame Inductees (2003 --- 2004 --- 2005 --- 2006 --- 2007 --- 2008)

The criteria include

Potential nominees must have a minimum of 2 years experience in the labor-management relation field while serving as a management official, union official or in academia:

Potential nominees must have held important leadership roles in the labor-management relations field while serving as a management official, union official or academia: and

Potential nominees must have made a significant impact on labor-management relations while serving as a management official, union official or academia.

The 2008 Inductees are

Colleen C. Barrett - President and Corporate Secretary,
Southwest Airlines

Jackie St. Claire (Retired) - United Association of
Plumbers & Pipefitters

Read more about it: http://www.txlmc.com/Hall_of_Fame.htm

Charlie Wilson Died

2010-02-18T08:19:00.001-06:00

The London Times informs their readers that Charlie Wilson died.

"Charlie Wilson, US politician who secretly funded CIA in Afghanistan, dies"

The article begins: "Charlie Wilson, the Texan Democrat who championed covert CIA support for Afghan Mujahidin in the 1980s and whose life was chronicled in a Hollywood film, has died. He was 76." Read more at

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article7022817.ece

There was something in the Lufkin Congressman Wilson of David Burnet who fought in Venezuela for the freedom of Latin America in 1807; something of Bangs and McLaren who hired on as printers for Francisco Mina to free Mexico; something of the brash Sam Houston. Charlie Wilson has died, and as he would say, "Let's party!"

Or see the movie or read the volume Charlie Wilson's War.

Librarian Lillian Bradshaw Dies

2010-02-18T08:01:00.001-06:00

Lillian Moore Bradshaw: Library director cleared path for women in city government

Friday, February 12, 2010 By JOE SIMNACHER / The Dallas Morning News

The article begins: "Lillian Moore Bradshaw blazed a 38-year path in Dallas that cleared a management path for women in city government.

In 1946, she was one of the first married women hired at the Dallas Public Library, where she was the first female director 16 years later. She was the first woman to lead a major U.S. library. And she capped off her decades of public service as an assistant city manager/liaison when Dallas played host to the 1984 Republican National Convention.

Mrs. Bradshaw, 95, died Tuesday of natural causes at an Avalon Residential Care Home in Dallas." Read more of this remarkable librarian at

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/stories/DN-bradshawob_12met.ART.State.Edition1.4b89e39.html

Preservation of African American Schools in Texas

2010-02-18T07:54:00.001-06:00

"SE Texas group works to save black schoolhouses"

By KYLE PEVETO of the Beaumont Enterprise via the AP in the Houston Chronicle report begins:
"JASPER, Texas — Fifty years ago, a teacher in a one-room Jasper County schoolhouse faced a class full of rural African-American children and issued a challenge.
"Everyone of you is going to college," Viola Tukes told them.

Some of those students did go to college, while others, like Jesse Woods, took the first good-paying job they could find. But in the small school, situated in the Rock Hill community between Kirbyville and Jasper, students were given an education and opportunities that barely existed for previous generations.

"I've seen some good times in Rock Hill," said Woods, 62, whose father never learned to read or drive a car. Woods attended the Rock Hill school in the 1950s.

The schoolhouse was built in the 1920-21 school year through the Julius Rosenwald Fund, which supplied funding and architectural planning for 5,300 African-American schools from1912 to 1932."

Read more of the effort to save these Rosenwald schools at

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/tx/6865932.html

Billy Porterfied Archives Go To Texas State University

2010-02-17T20:22:00.001-06:00

Brad Rollins in the San Marcos Mercury filed a report Texas State acquires Billy Porterfield archives.

The Rollins report begins: "Billy Porterfield, the legendary Texas journalist and award-winning author of several books, has donated his major archive to the Wittliff Collections at the Alkek Library, Texas State University.

Born in 1932 in East Texas, Porterfield grew up the son of an itinerant oilfield worker and attended dozens of schools before graduating from Woodsboro High School in 1950. His nomadic childhood informed his work, much of which takes place on the road, as well as his approach to gathering ideas for newspaper columns. Curiosity, a notepad, a map, and a full tank of gas were the tools of his trade."

Porterfield's book include include LBJ Country (1965), A Loose Herd of Texans (1978), Texas Rhapsody: Memories of a Native Son (1981), The Greatest Honky-Tonks in Texas (1983), and Diddy Waw Diddy: The Passage of an American Son (1994). His journalism spread wide. All of this and more summed up in 35 boxes. Read more about it at

http://www.sanmarcosmercury.com/archives/12005 and at

http://www.statesman.com/news/local/newsmakers-texas-states-gets-billy-porterfield-archives-lukas-214826.html

Shrine of the Black Madonna Bookstore in Houston

2010-02-17T09:49:00.001-06:00

Happy 25th anniversary!

Asad Walker of the Defender newspaper reported on the 25th anniversary of the Shrine Cultural Center and Bookstore in Houston. It's a good long article, an extract reads:

"Part of the largest Black-owned bookstore chain in the nation, Houston's Shrine Bookstore opened in December 1986. What was once a decaying bowling alley in South Park, was renovated and transformed into the 23,500 square feet "crown jewel" of the trio of cultural centers owned by the Pan African Orthodox Christian Church. The other two stores are located in Atlanta and Detroit, the city where the first one opened its doors in 1970.

Born at the tail-end of the Black Power Era, the Detroit store gave African American authors a place to sell their books long before mainstream stores began carrying such items.

"The original name of the first Cultural Center was the Sudan Import Specialty Shop," recalled Anika Sala, Detroit native and manager of the Shrine Bookstore in Houston. "Our church founder, Reverend Albert B. Cleage Jr. assigned his sister, Barbara Martin to create a center for Black culture, heritage and self-determination. What Martin did was start an incredible legacy that has celebrated our history and made some history of its own." " Read more at

http://praisehouston.com/national/nzinga/shrine-cultural-center-bookstore-makes-history/

Horton Foote's Trip to Beaumont

2010-02-17T09:23:00.001-06:00

Harrison, Texas: Three One-Act Plays By Horton Foote enjoyed a brief run at Lamar University Studio Theatre this month. If Texas were to select a playwright for all seasons, it may be the now passed Foote (1916-2009). His body of work will surely persist across generations and stages from international to local. The Horton Foote Review is published by the Horton Foote Society. See http://hortonfootesociety.org/

Texas # 2 state for novel settings

2010-02-16T16:29:00.001-06:00

Bowker, a long-standing source of book publishing information declares in an article entitled "New York and London Are Most Popular Settings for Novels" also considers state locales. An extract states

"In addition to London, the other non-U.S. city to make the top 10 fictional settings was Rome. California was the setting for more novels than any other state, followed by Texas, Florida, Virginia, and North Carolina."

Texas novelists take note!

Happy Texas Valentine's Day

2010-02-14T12:52:00.001-06:00

Hello Texas

by ecstaticist Creative Commons Some rights reserved

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ecstaticist/565226376/

texmex_heart_241x220

by lukethelibrarian Creative Commons Some rights reserved

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lukethelibrarian/121412855/

Cooley Heart

by Beau B Creative Commons Some rights reserved

http://www.flickr.com/photos/beaub/2996826995/

Texas Chicano Literature

2010-02-12T12:09:00.001-06:00

In Somos en escrito a posting by Felipe de Ortego y Gasca, Scholar in Residence/Chair, Department of Chicana/Chicano and Hemispheric Studies, Western New Mexico University, provides "Forging a literature of opposition on the outside: Chicano Literature and Critical Theory" a lengthy summary essay on the development of Chicano / Hispanic literature, quite applicable to Texas.

Extracted from Ortega y Gasca one finds "To my knowledge, the first symposium on Chicano literature and critical theory was held at Pan American University in Edinburg, Texas, on September 16, 1971. [Note the date.] Edward Simmen, professor of English there, organized the event and invited Tomás Rivera, Jose Reyna and me to present papers covering a spectrum of critical theory about Chicano literature, a barely emerging field then."

Modern Tejano literature as a body is sometimes bookended as Ramund Paredes and others point out by Texas-related Josephina Niggli's Mexican Village (a novel, 1945), but the larger corpus can be easily extended. Identifing Tejano literature within Chicano literature can sometimes be a challenge. The difficulty can be compared to identifing the Texas titles within the broader Cowboy titles. And it can be compared to the identifing of Texas titles within the broader Buffalo Soldiers titles. Armando Rendón's Somos en escrito and La Bloga and other sources do not always note a geographical distinction, intended of course to serve a wider audience, but they are good places to hunt Texana.

Other treatments abound but see also Paredes' "Teaching Chicano Literature: An Historical Approach"

http://www9.georgetown.edu/faculty/bassr/tamlit/newsletter/paredes.html

Texas Roots of Spanish Educators

2010-02-12T11:20:00.001-06:00

In Armando Rendón's "Somos en escrito" a posting The roots of Texas education planted in Colonial Spanish days by Brownsville native Dr. Lino García, Jr., Professor Emeritus of Spanish Literature at University of Texas-Pan Ameican, provides a lengthy revival to and extension to Max Berger's earlier work "Education in Texas during the Spanish/Mexican Periods" in the July 1947 Southwestern Historical Quarterly. The commentary covers the Indian mission efforts, local schooling, government decrees, supportive land grants, etc. The primary focus is San Antonio but other locales are included. Read more at

http://somosenescrito.blogspot.com/2010/02/roots-of-texas-education-planted-in.html

another version from last September is at

http://www.brownsvilleherald.com/articles/heritage-102606-hispanic-month.html

San Jacinto Battleground Designated Endangered

2010-02-11T15:19:00.001-06:00

From KUHF: San Jacinto Battlefield Named an Endangered Historic Site

February 5, 2010 by: Melissa Galvez

For the first time, the non profit group Preservation Texas has placed the San Jacinto Battlegrounds

on their Most Endangered Historic Places list. The group says that the LaPorte battle field needs a

comprehensive plan to keep it from falling prey to the 21st century. Melissa Galvez has the story.
"Every time you give an inch to a building, you are losing an inch of the battlefield."

That's Jan DeVault, President of the Friends of the San Jacinto Battlefield. Her organization

is working with Preservation Texas to raise awareness of the need for better planning around

the historic site. They're concerned about development encroaching on the battlefield, as well

as pollution from nearby industry. DeVault says the group does not oppose building in the area,

but wants to preserve the 19th century character of the landscape."

Hear the fuller segment at http://app1.kuhf.org/houston_public_radio-news-display.php?articles_id=1265405384

Texana at Calaca Press

2010-02-11T14:54:00.001-06:00

Searching Calaca Press, a specialist in Hispanic titles, one can find 14 titles using the keyword "Texas."

http://www.calacapress.com/ The first 4 citations are

1. Lunar Braceros 2125-2148
(Calaca Titles/Books)

...illustrations by San Diego, Califas artist Mario A. Chacon Twenty-second century Cholos living on Cali-Texas Reservations have few options. One of them is signing up as Moon Tecos, technicians...

2. raúlrsalinas Poetry Contest Winner
(Newsflashes/Newsflash)

...ook, a $500 honorarium and travel to and from book release readings in San Diego, California and Austin, Texas. Joe Montoya's poetry reflects the heartbreaking realities of life on the rez. ...

3. Falling Angels: Cuentos y Poemas
(Calaca Titles/Books)

...versity of California at Santa Cruz and a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from the University of Texas at El Paso. This is her first book. Falling Angels: Cuentos y Poemas by Olga...

4. Los Many Mundos of raúlrsalinas
(Calaca Titles/Spoken Word CD\'s)

First CD by Critically Acclaimed Xicanindio Poet Activist raúlrsalinas Texas bred firebrand combines spoken word with jazz blend Los Many Mundos of raúlrsalinas / ISBN 0-9660773-5-0 /

Generals Carroll "Curly" Lewis & Sam Houston - Texas Army

2010-02-11T11:35:00.001-06:00

K.K. Searle, in his "Texas History Page," passes along Jim Peddy's and David Martin's news of Carroll "Curly" Lewis' death and of of Sam Houston IV's succession as General of the Texas Army.

http://texas-history-page.blogspot.com/2010/01/passing-of-general-carroll-lewis-of.html

http://texas-history-page.blogspot.com/2010/01/sam-houston-iv-becomes-general-of-texas.html

Salutes to both fine gentlemen.

Background at http://www.earlytexashistory.com/TexasArmy/

Prison Exhibit at Texas State Library

2010-02-09T09:26:00.001-06:00

Laura Saegert passes along this news from TSL on its new exhibit:

Fear, Force, and Leather: The Texas Prison System's First Hundred Years, 1848-1948

"Announcing the latest online exhibit from the Texas State Library and Archives Commission.

"Fear, Force, and Leather: The Texas Prison System's First Hundred Years,
1848-1948" is a new online history exhibit from the Texas State Library and
Archives. Drawing from the Archives' extensive collections of historic
penitentiary records, the exhibit documents in words, photographs, and
archival images how, from humble beginnings with little money or public
support, the Texas prison system eventually transformed into a self-supporting
network of sugar and cotton farms. But hellish conditions and brutal
punishments led to one of the greatest scandals in Texas history, and began a
cycle of reform that brought Texas to a new era of professional penology."

In addition, the website contains a complete list of links to the online
finding aids to the original records. The exhibit may be found at:
http://www.tsl.state.tx.us/exhibits/prisons/index.html

At the site you will find it progresses chronologically:

Jack Johnson, 1909

2010-02-09T09:14:00.001-06:00

Jack Johnson, 1909 by John McNab

World Heavyweight Champion 1908–1915.

Creative Commons Copyright Some rights reserved

Wired Horses in Plano - Madison Berndt

2010-02-09T08:44:00.001-06:00

Plano, TX

by Madison Berndt

Original annotation:

"Plano, Texas: These horse sculptures are located on Plano Road. I drive by them each day on the way home. The land is currently being developed and will be covered with housing and office buildings within a few years. I decided to take these pictures now while there are no buildings in the way."

Creative Commons Some rights reserved Taken in The Colony

http://www.flickr.com/photos/70499646@N00/185811068/

Alamo Centennial Memorial Photo - By blahmni

2010-02-08T13:39:00.001-06:00

Alamo Centennial Memorial by Blahmni / Jeff Poteat

on Flickr.com

http://www.flickr.com/photos/blahmni/363154076/

Creative Commons Some rights reserved

Jenkins Garrett Dies

2010-02-02T08:25:00.001-06:00

Kent Calder sends a Special Report from the Texas State Historical Association brings news of the death of Jenkins Garrett, a fellow whose life became both a foundation and a pillar advancing our historical awareness of outselves and others:

Special Report:

Dear Texas State Historical Association Members and Friends,

I regret to inform you that Jenkins Garrett, TSHA President 1988 - 1989, passed away Thursday, January 28, 2010, in Fort Worth at the age of 95.

Mr. Garrett was the husband of Virginia Williams Garrett and the father of Dianne Garrett Powell, who is the Association's Vice-President.

A tribute to Mr. Garrett appears in today's Fort Worth Star Telegram, which is available in an online version. The article includes details about the services planned for Monday, February 1 in Fort Worth. The link also has a Guestbook, with options to write a comment and to read those of others.

I am sure you will join me, the Board, and the staff in the sadness of losing a great Texan,

Sincerely,
J. Kent Calder

Texas Government Publications

2010-01-25T10:21:00.001-06:00

Texas state agencies are required to provide the Texas State Library with copies to distribute to official depositories around the state. TSL fills mailing boxes once or twice each month and mails them to about 50 depositories. Each mailing box contains a list of the box's contents. TSL runs a rotating list of the most recent ten lists at http://www.tsl.state.tx.us/statepubs/shipping.html The lists here are rather simple and computer generated and not pleasant to view it their "blocky" fashion, but a reader can partially monitor state publications by reviewing these lists occasionally. The first four citations in a recent list included:

W600.8 AG83WAO 2009 Agricultural water conservation, irrigation water use management : best management practices 435488667
L1400.8 AN13PRC 2009 Analyses of proposed constitutional amendments, November 3, 2009, election / prepared by the staff of the Texas Legislative Council 432712783
H550.6 C437N 2009/10 Children with Special Health Care Needs newsletter for families [running title: CSHCN newsletter for families] Health Services, Department of State 61109743
C2600.6 C498 2009/08 City sales and use tax comparison summary Comptroller of Public Accounts 14630299
You can see that the list arranged alphbetically by title and that each citation is preceded by a special library call number (keyed to the first keyword in the agency's name), and

One thing you'll notice is that a lot of them are periodicals, annual reports, etc. But subject content is not unusual. While you're at the website, you may also poke into the electronic catalog called TRAIL.

Texas Almanac Q & A

2010-01-24T13:04:00.001-06:00

Bob Ray Sanders, up the Trintiy River basin way in Fort Worth where they print the Star-Telegram newspaper, composes for his column a quiz using the latest Texas Almanac (now published by the Texas State Historical Association).

The questions are at

http://www.star-telegram.com/news/columnists/bob_ray_sanders/story/1881243.html
The answers are at
http://www.star-telegram.com/news/columnists/bob_ray_sanders/story/1898783.html

Question # 2 asks about the longest river "within" (quotation marks in original work) Texas. Well, I knew that the "within" would exclude the Rio Grande and Red River. So I thought it was the Brazos, and may still contend so. Sanders states the answer as the Colorado River, a fine river, but not the equal to the Brazos in my estimation. I'm guessing that Sanders is working on the presumption that the upper feeders of the Brazos carry water often enough to not be completely "within" the Texas-New Mexico boundary. On the other hand the upper feeders of the Colorado rarely carry water and hence are not worthy of being a true part of the Colorado River basin and hence is "within" Texas? Then again maybe the measurement is different by crow-flight or river-bed. Where's a good hydrologist when you need one? Maybe I should just get a new Almanac!

Documentary Arts: Texas African American Photography Archive

2010-01-20T17:46:00.001-06:00

DOCUMENTARY ARTS:

Texas African American Photography Archive, founded by Alan Govenar and Kaleta Doolin

Self-described as:

"A major focus of Documentary Arts is the expansion and organization of the Texas African American Photography (TAAP) Archive.

The TAAP archive provides a broad overview of African American photography in the urban and rural areas of Texas, spanning the period from the 1870s to the present and representing a variety of processes and makers. The Archive is unique in its comprehensiveness, and consists of over 50,000 photographic negatives and prints and more than 20 oral histories collected from African American photographers. Most of the items in the Archive have been donated by the photographers and their families, while others have been acquired from private collections.

In Feburary, 1997 the TAAP Archive finalized its association with the African Americah Museum of Dallas by initiating a series of exhibitions, workshops and public programs.

The TAAP Archive is housed across the street from Documentary Arts in a permanent, state-of-the-art archival facility. It was constructed for this purpose through a major private contribution. This facility is located in the 5501 Columbia Art Center complex at 115 North Augusta near the corner of Columbia Ave, in East Dallas, TX, operated by Documentary Arts and Contemporary Culture, another non-profit organization."

A newsletter is available. Read more at: http://www.docarts.com/

Marshall Zoning Squabble Cleared Up

2010-01-15T13:17:00.001-06:00

Seems the developer was a little too cavalier in their not asking all the relevant questions, leaving everybody with "assumptions" about their legal standing to put in yet a second Dollar Store on Burleson Street in Marshall, Texas. The Marshall News Messenger noted on December 11, 2009 that "Locals angry over store's proposed site." Well, now it appears that the developers' assumptions were too broad. The Messenger updates under the headline "City vetoes controversial rezoning requests" again by Terri Hahn.

Click-2-Listen

An extract for you follows:

"There were 65 people in attendance at the meeting including city employees. Of those, 25 stood in opposition when Historic West End Neighborhood Association President Ben Lambers spoke against changing the West Burleson Street property to commercial.

A dozen spoke, mostly members of the HWENA, in opposition of the rezoning. They gave reasons such as protecting the residential and historical integrity of the neighborhood, and keeping traffic down on Bishop Street, where pedestrians could be in danger. Some felt that Marshall does not need another dollar store and that the addition of a store would create more traffic and trash within their neighborhood.

Willborn motioned to deny rezoning and it was seconded by Commissioner Zephaniah Timmins. After lengthy discussion by city commissioners, the vote to deny carried 7-0."

The developers claim the City gave them bad information.

If you choose to listen to the automated voice reading of the article provided by the Messenger, you'll notice something a bit interesting. When the article contains the written word "residents" the audio clearly, multiple times, speaks the sound "republicans." Is this an accident or an anticipation of George Orwell incarnated in the Marshall News Massage

Marshall is a good example of a small town, still less than 30,000 I believe, which maintains an historical sensibilty. I notice that because I regularly from my 10th grade bicycle delivered the Messenger to Y.A. Tittle's mother, and personally take credit for his mother's happiness which in turn certainly gave Y.A. the stability to win all those professional football games. Miss Brötze (actually Selma and Emma Mae both) taught me to read what is written in my government and senior English classes. My familiarity with automated voices tells me that such an inadvertancy can be corrected.

David Rumsey Historical Map Collection

2010-01-14T14:42:00.001-06:00

The David Rumsey Historical Map Collection is open to the public online. He's got a personal collection of many, many maps and he's had over 20,000 of them digitized for your easy inspection. He specializes, but is not limited to, 18th and 19th century North and South America. The search box for "Texas" retrieves 1,200. I took the pleasure of surveying the Tanner map to check how Coahuila related to San Antonio. The image was sharp and clean.

It's not surprise that he received a special award for his collection and public space from the Special Libraries Association.Of course, he sells reproductions.

Check him at http://www.davidrumsey.com/

Robb Walsh's Texas Food Writer's Blog

2010-01-11T09:44:00.001-06:00

Journalist and author of several Texas culinary books, Robb Walsh holds forth in his "Food Writing from the Lone Star State." Postings are historical, technical, contemporary-pop, recipes, etc. with excellent photos and videos at http://www.robbwalsh.com/

Will the Fire - damaged Texas Governor's Mansion Be Preserved?

2010-01-07T10:31:00.001-06:00

Seems a little early citizen input could have been useful.

Perry: Experts will decide fate of mansion

Austin American-Statesman - Mike Ward - ‎Jan 5, 2010‎

Even as their staff members continued working to obtain approval of a two-story addition to the Governor's Mansion, members of the state board ...Preservationists criticize renovation plan for Texas governor's mansion

Dallas Morning News - ‎Jan 6, 2010‎

AP AUSTIN – Historic preservationists told Gov. Rick Perry on Tuesday that they object to a renovation plan for the fire-ravaged Governor's Mansion because ...

Mansion alteration angers an area historian

Abilene Reporter-News - Emily A. Peters - ‎Jan 5, 2010‎

Shirley Caldwell of Albany believes it's her duty as a passionate Texas historian to preserve the buildings that embody the Lone Star ...

Challenges to proposed Governor's Mansion additions

News 8 Austin - Ashley Porter - ‎Jan 5, 2010‎

The Heritage Society of Austin Board President Mandy Dealey considers herself an architectural history buff. "It's just been a passion of mine forever. ...

Renovation of Texas Governor's Mansion challenged

Dallas Morning News - ‎Jan 5, 2010‎

AP Heritage Society of Austin members are objecting to renovation proposals for the Texas Governor's Mansion. Society president Mandy Dealey and others told ...

Challenges to addition to Texas gov's mansion

Dallas Morning News - ‎Jan 5, 2010‎

AP Ten former members of the Texas Historical Commission are objecting to a proposed addition to the fire-damaged governor's mansion. ...

Fehrenbach and Oaks: Addition at Texas Governor's Mansion ill-advised and ...

Fort Worth Star Telegram - T.R. Fehrenbach, Lawrence Oaks - ‎Jan 5, 2010‎

Only a mere 20 years passed after the 1836 heroic stand at the Alamo and the improbable triumph at San Jacinto before the ...

Texas Governor's Mansion expansion is blueprint for historical disaster

Austin American-Statesman - ‎Jan 5, 2010‎

When the idea first came up to add a 3000-square-foot addition to the Governor's Mansion as part of the postfire rebuilding project we weren't quite sure ...

Governor's Mansion addition draws opponents

Austin American-Statesman - Mike Ward - ‎Jan 4, 2010‎

With a decision fast approaching on whether to add onto the fire-gutted Texas Governor's Mansion as part of its restoration, a growing chorus ...

Even weasels deserve marital bliss

Austin American-Statesman - ‎15 hours ago‎

Our governor has violated the first rule of marriage. No, not the one about the Appalachian Trail, the one about always supporting your wife's decisions ...

Texas State Presevation Board Strategic Plan

2010-01-06T14:38:00.001-06:00

For the inquiring mind about what the dickens is the State Preservation Board and what do they do? Their self-description includes:

"The State Preservation Board preserves and maintains the Texas Capitol, the Capitol Extension, the 1857 General Land Office Building, other designated buildings, their contents and their grounds; provides facilities and grounds keeping services for the Texas Governor's Mansion; and operates the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum. We provide educational programs centered on Texas history. These services benefit the citizens of Texas and its visitors.

Philosophy
The State Preservation Board acts in accordance with the highest standards of achievement, accountability and ethics. We value our customers and their needs. We strive to maintain a working environment where each participant is valued and where all participants can work together positively to accomplish common and individual goals. We manage our resources wisely. We are driven by our commitment to excellence and our appreciation of the lessons of history and the value of the past as a teacher for the future.

Agency Responsibilities
In summary, the State Preservation Board is responsible for the following:

Providing housekeeping, maintenance and grounds keeping services at the Capitol, Capitol Extension, Capitol Visitors Center, Capitol Visitors Parking Garage, and the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum;
Approving all changes involving construction, restoration and repairs in the Capitol, Capitol Extension, General Land Office building, and on their grounds;
Providing educational and curatorial services for the Capitol;
Care for the Capitol Historic Artifact Collection, which includes Capitol furniture, art and other decorative works;
Operating an education and tourism center at the Capitol Visitors Center;
Providing interpretation and guided tours of the Capitol and Capitol Visitors Center;
Scheduling and managing public events and exhibits at the Capitol;
Scheduling and managing the Legislative Conference Center, Historic Court Rooms, and Extension Auditorium for Capitol occupants;
Operating the Capitol Gift Shops;
Managing the Capitol Extension Cafeteria;
Operating the Capitol Visitors Parking Garage and maintaining the Capitol Complex Parking Meters;
Operating the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum; and
Providing maintenance and grounds keeping services for the Texas Governor's Mansion

Strategic Plan, 2009-2013 http://www.tspb.state.tx.us/spb/spb/mission/Images/StrategicPlan.pdf

2010 Budget http://www.tspb.state.tx.us/spb/spb/reports/images/operating_budget_2010.pdf

Literary San Antonio - Website by Paul McQuien and Kim G. Hochmeister

2010-01-04T11:48:00.001-06:00

McQuien and Hochmeister have concocted an attrative and informative set of pages on their San Antonio College website, worthy of your visit and use. The contents include

Landmarks

Alamo
Missions
Commerce Street Bridge
& San Antonio River
Main Plaza & Military
Plaza
Historic Hotels
Ursuline Convent
King William District
San Pedro (Springs) Park
& San Antonio Spring
San Antonio's "Literary"
Schools

Sources
Links to Local Authors

Authors

Cabeza de Vaca
Frederic Law Olmsted
Sidney Lanier
Oscar Wilde
Stephen Crane
Ambrose Bierce
William Sydney Porter (O. Henry)
W. B. Yeats
D. H. Lawrence
William Faulkner
Robert Frost
Katherine Anne Porter
Graham Greene
Jack Kerouac
Sandra Cisneros
Naomi Shihab Nye

The Local Authors Links include

San Antonio Authors: The following links feature additional literary authors who have (or had) a connection
with San Antonio through their subject matter and/or their residence:

Mary Margaret Amberson
Irma Ned Bailey
Wendy Barker
Jacques Barzun
Diane Gonzales Bertrand
Jay Brandon
Anita Brenner
Jenny Browne
Rosemary Catacalos
Joan Cheever
Angela de Hoyos
Cyra Dumitru
Robert Flynn
H. Palmer Hall
Stephen Harrigan
Sterling Houston
John Igo
Judith Infante
Paulette Jiles
Steven Kellman
Jim Lehrer
David Liss
Cynthia Leal Massey
Bryce Milligan
Michael A. Moore
Josephina Niggli
Paul Perry
Andrew Porter
Carol Coffee Reposa
Rick Riordan
Tomas Rivera
John Philip Santos
Norman Sherry
Maureen Smith
Claude Stanush
Carmen Tafolla
Billy Taylor
Abraham Verghese
Donley Watt

Go To: http://www.accd.edu/sac/english/mcquien/htmlfils/index.html

Wouldn't it be nice if some attention were paid to selected

1. Bexar County enties in the Texas Historical Commission's marker atlas at http://atlas.thc.state.tx.us/ and selected entries from

2. TSHA's Handbook of Texas Online at http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/

3. and, well, to push the envelope a bit, how about some links to the San Antonio Public Library's relevant lists, and, well, to go further, how about

4. Some links to old titles about the town that are now full-text online, as from Google and Gutenberg.

5. And then links to creative writing programs in the area

Hmmm, smells like my breakfast taco cookings are ready, I need to go and toss my corn tortillas on the burners for a few seconds and add a little leche to my coffee.

Tx Cable News Today in Texas History

2010-01-03T11:49:00.001-06:00

The Texas Cable News website has a "Today in Texas History" feature. It cites its sources as : Texas Almanac, Handbook of Texas, Texas State Library & Archives Commission, Texas Historical Commission, and Dallas Web Sites research.

Today's entry of January 3 is:

1823

Mexican officials approve Stephen F. Austin�s plan to bring 300 families into his colony. This group becomes known as the "Old Three Hundred."

http://www.txcn.com/today/

Heisman Trophy Longhorn History

2009-12-31T10:06:00.001-06:00

Earl Campbell (1977) and Ricky Williams (1998) won the Heisman Trophy in college footabll as University of Texas Longhorns. But can you name Longhorn also-rans. Well here's a list.

1947 Bobby Layne, Sixth-Place

1961 James Saxton, Third-Place

1963 Scott Appleton, Fifth-Place

1970 Steve Worster, Fourth-Place

1973 Roosevelt Leaks, Third-Place

(Yes, a drought for three decades, except for Campbell and Williams as winners)

2004 Cedric Benson Sixth-Place

2005 Vince Young: Second Place

2008 Colt McCoy, Second-Place

2009 Colt McCoy, Third Place

Read the story behind each at the Bleacher Report, a UT Football newsletter

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/306612-a-texas-longhorn-heisman-history

Elmer Kelton Statue Nearing Completion

2009-12-31T09:39:00.001-06:00

Rick Smith in the San Angelo Standard-Times article ,"Elmer Kelton statue nearing completion," relays the news:

"SAN ANGELO, Texas — A life-size sculpture of the late West Texas author Elmer Kelton is nearing completion at a Lubbock foundry said Raul Ruiz, the San Angelo artist commissioned to create the work.

"I just came back from Lubbock last week," Ruiz said. "Right now, I'm at the point where I'm putting on the finishing touches."

He said the sculpture, now made of clay, will be cast in bronze.

"I think it's looking really good," Ruiz said. "It just takes time."

The bronze, which will show the West Texas author casually leaning on a wooden fence, will be placed in the new Tom Green County Library when it opens in 2010.

Ruiz said the Kelton family will travel to Lubbock to see the clay sculpture before it is cast into bronze.

The project has had several unexpected delays.

First, the foundry changed hands after owner Jerry House died in July. Then, Ruiz said he was jolted by Kelton's death in August.

"That's been the hardest part of this — Mr. Kelton's passing," Ruiz said.

Donations to fund the $85,000 project are being accepted through the San Angelo Area

Foundation.

http://www.gosanangelo.com/news/2009/dec/22/elmer-kelton-statue-nearing-completion/

For more information information, see http://saafound.org/articles/view/35/elmer-kelton-statue or call 325- 659-3788."

Musings from Sam Houston's Stomping Grounds

2009-12-30T18:06:00.001-06:00

"Musings from Sam Houston's Stomping Grounds"

The Special Collections librarians up at Sam Houston State University Newton Gresham Library are casting their pods. Back in 2006 Paul Culp and Cheryl Spencer started talking into one of those talking machines and called them "Musings."

Somebody plugged them into the internet. Before long it got to be a habit (a good one) and twice a month they'd find some old historical or news article to read or just recollect (no doubt with a bit of research) history about the University, ol' Sam himself, or other local matters. They read about 2 to 5 minutes each, but sometimes up to 7 minutes. Rather interesting listening. Now there's quite a collection online for you.

Should you prefer reading it quietly to yourself, transcripts are available. And the entries can be arranged by topical place or person. And here's a bit of news. They started putting slide shows together to go with the audio. Well, a good thing gets noticed and sometimes other librarians get their moment in the sound booth.

Two recent entries are self-described as:

Harmon L. Lowman - 15 Nov. 2009:

Cheryl Spencer reads an article about Dr. Harmon Lowman, one of Sam Houston's most beloved presidents. Dr. Lowman was president of Sam Houston State Teacher's College from 1941 - 1964. Episode originally aired 1 March 2007. (2:30) Read the transcript.

Dia de la Muertos - 01 Nov. 2009:

Erin Cassidy, Reference Librarian, reads a short essay about Dia de los Muertos (the Days of the Dead), written by Norma Beth Williamson, Spanish pool faculty member in the Department of Foreign Languages. (4:19) New format! See more images while listening! (4:35) Read the transcript. Get audio only.

I swear, sometimes a college education sure pays off. I guess what I like best is that the staff is actually expected to know the contents of their archives a trend to encourage.

Check the hotlist at http://library.shsu.edu/podcasts.archive.php

Or peruse the Special Collection Thomason Room at http://library.shsu.edu/about/specialcollections/index.php

Texas Observer - Back issues of Summer and Winter Books Issues online

2009-12-30T16:34:00.001-06:00

The Texas Observer, Texas' own guardian of the left bank of the Colorado River. has a book blog "Texas Bound" which occasionally addresses a Texas volume (they prefer the broader view of the nation). No posting has been made in "Texas Bound" since last October. But now of note is the TO's online availability of the Summer and Winter Books issues. The archives go back for ten years. On the Texas Bound blog's page in the upper right are clicks to those back issues. For the illiterate with no interest in books, but just their causes of the day, under TO's homepage is the complete list of issues, back for the same ten years.

Cynthia Woods Mitchell Dies

2009-12-30T10:55:00.001-06:00

You may have already learned of Cynthia Woods Mitchell's death on the 27th at age 87.

Her obituary is in today's Wednesday Chronicle. Should you not have a hardcopy at hand, an electronic link is at

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/houstonchronicle/obituary.aspx?n=cynthia-woods-mitchell&pid=137965860

The obituary is the loveliest and most memorable one I've ever read, no doubt enabled by the lovely person, mother, and wife that she was.

Through the obituary, I laughed, cried, and came to admire her and the obituary's author, one of her children. I recomend you take time from your busy holiday season to read of this remarkable, modern woman, a force behind Galveston's.historic revival, early advocate of sustainable living (The Woodlands), inspiration of and care-taker of the Cynthia Woods Pavilion, wife of dynamo George P. Mitchell, and mother of 10.

Will

Land Steward Awards

2009-12-24T11:19:00.001-06:00

Lone Star Land Steward Awards Program

Self-described as: "Private landowners are the key to effective habitat management in Texas, since more than 90 percent of Texas is privately-owned. The Lone Star Land Steward Awards program recognizes and honors private landowners for their accomplishments in habitat management and wildlife conservation. The program is designed to educate landowners and the public and to encourage participation in habitat conservation."

2009 Ecoregion Winners 2009 Leopold Conservation Award Winner

New Deal for Texas Parks - interactive exhibit from TPWD

2009-12-24T10:25:00.001-06:00

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has developed an interactive exhibit on the New Deal for Texas Parks:

It's self-description begins:

"Welcome to a New Deal for Texas Parks - an online exhibit and education center for teachers and students of Texas history, made possible in part through the generous support of Humanities Texas' Linden Heck Howell Texas History Grant. Humanities Texas is a state partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Flip through the pages of the scrapbook to explore how individuals, communities and landscapes in Texas were impacted by the New Deal Era. Discover how the Civilian Conservation Corps constructed many of the state parks we enjoy today. Explore a variety of primary source documents such as photographs, oral histories, letters and music that help tell this American story through the eyes of Texas." Read more at

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/historic_sites/ccc/new_deal_texas_main/

Open the Table of Contents or select a theme. Click on a page's corner and turn the page. The "My Keepsake" pdf on the left of each section's first page offers a type of lesson plan.

Historic Texas Rancho de las Cabras Buried Under Sand

2009-12-24T09:35:00.001-06:00

Old Texas mission ranch buried in funding limbo

Dec 24, 2009 3:32 AM (6 hrs ago) By Michelle Roberts, AP

Examiner news story begins: "FLORESVILLE, Texas (Map, News) -

Ruins that archeologists call one of the last links to the original ranches and cowboys that shaped Texas have been kept behind a gate, literally buried, for more than two decades - awaiting the funding that would allow people to see them.

The 18th-century Rancho de las Cabras complex, with its stone building remains, was a birthplace of the large commercial ranching operations that would help define the state. Preservationists have long hoped it could be fully excavated and opened to the public, but so far, the site has been unable to attract the money it would need from Congress or the National Park Service's stretched budget.

"It's one of these kind of once-in-a-lifetime sites. You're not going to be able to see something like this anywhere in the world," said National Park Service Archaeologist Susan Snow. "The mission ranches brought what we know today as the modern cattle industry."

The 100-acre site about 30 miles southeast of San Antonio was donated 32 years ago to the state, which handed it to the National Park Service nearly 15 years ago as addition to the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park." Read more at

http://www.examiner.com/a-2388175~Old_Texas_mission_ranch_buried_in_funding_limbo.html?cid=rss-US

Laredo's Last Bookstore

2009-12-21T09:06:00.001-06:00

News of the closing of Laredo's last bookstore has finally hit the Wall Street Journal of all places. Apparently literacy in Texas is worth the attention of those who tend the national economy. Do you suppose that being able to read actually matters?

Stephanie Simon's article is headlined:

City Tries to Rewrite Lone Bookstore's Last Chapter : Laredo Residents Campaign to Prevent Closing of B. Dalton Shop That Serves as Community Resource, Gathering Place

and begins:

"LAREDO, Texas -- Mary Benavides steps from behind the cash register several times a day to embrace the mourners.

For more than 30 years, she has managed the mall's B. Dalton outlet -- the only bookstore in Laredo. It will close next month.

All B. Daltons nationwide are closing, as corporate parent Barnes & Noble shutters the chain. In this era of mega-bookstores with cafes and cozy couches and 150,000 titles -- and with more than a million books available online -- B. Dalton's cramped outlets no longer make economic sense." Read more at

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB126117299083897611.html

Those of us at the Parlor speculate if we lived in Laredo, we'd go to the City Librarian and begin (now just ask or just try) the process of allowing the City Library discards and the discards from other nearby libraries (hint, hint TAMU-I) to form the basis of a used book store (with serious intent) through a commodious and convenient, well-lighted space. In short time, new books could be added to the line. If free enterprize will not address the obvious public needs, the government should. Or you can offer a different idea.

Poking Around in the UT Dallas Archives

2009-12-19T10:02:00.001-06:00

Press release begins:

Paul Oelkrug (foreground) leads archivists on a tour of McDermott Library's Special Collections.

Archivists Get a Glimpse of UT Dallas Library Rarities

Dec. 14, 2009

"Visiting archivists got acquainted with some of UT Dallas' most exclusive holdings recently when they met at McDermott Library to tour the Special Collections department.

Paul Oelkrug and his staff in Special Collections led visitors through the History of Aviation Collection, which features a world-class aeronautical archive. The collection is the department's largest section.

The saw the Wineburgh Philatelic Research Library, a regional resource for philatelic and postal history; and the Louise B. Belsterling Library, a collection of rare botanical books, including the library's oldest volume." Read more at

http://www.utdallas.edu/news/2009/12/14-002.php

Ron Stone Academy for the Teaching of Texas History

2009-12-18T18:55:00.001-06:00

University of Houston New Release

Texas History Academy links late Ron Stone, UHFoundation Gift Launches New Resource for Texas History Teachers

It begins: "June 3, 2009 - Houston - The rugged history of the Lone Star State is revealed in landmarks, cities and tales. Now, a new resource at the University of Houston Center for Public History helps Texas teachers harness that rich history for the classroom.

The University of Houston Center for Public History has announced a $75,000 gift from the Ron Stone Foundation to begin the Ron Stone Academy for the Teaching of Texas History. The gift will be matched by a $75, 000 contribution by the university."

For more information about The Ron Stone Foundation, visit http://ronstonefoundation.org/.

Texas Music History Lecture Series in El Paso

2009-12-18T10:21:00.001-06:00

The El Paso Newspaper Tree report begins

"New Texas Music History Lecture Series

Thursday, December 3, 2009

El Paso Museum of History Begins New Texas Music History Lecture Series

"Beginning September 3 and continuing through December, the El Paso Museum of History will celebrate Texas' influence in Zydeco, Jazz, Women in Texas Music and Blues music. The lecture series will take place the first Thursday of each month. It is the first series of events that the museum will charge an admission fee for: $4 for members and $8 for nonmembers. The goal of this series is to offer something special for the museum's membership and to attract potential new members." Read more at

http://www.newspapertree.com/calendar/3272-new-texas-music-history-lecture-series

or visit the museum at http://www.elpasotexas.gov/history/

National Literary Landmarks in Texas

2009-12-18T09:58:00.001-06:00

Earlier this December, the Lorenzo de Zavala Texas State Library and Archives Building received designation as a National Literary Landmark, the fourth in Texas. The other three are the O. Henry Home in Austin, the Katherine Anne Porter Home in Kyle, and the Menger Hotel in San Antonio.

Learn more about the National Literary Landmarks at

http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/altaff/outreach/literarylandmarks/index.cfm

The Dallas News carried an article about the announcement at
http://trailblazersblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2009/12/laura-bush.html

Hmmm, only four. Sure wouldn't take long to round up a few more. What're the qualifications?

Dollar Store Dirt and Marshall

2009-12-12T09:13:00.001-06:00

Locals angry over store's proposed site
Click-2-Listen

By Terri Hahn, News Messenger
Friday, December 11, 2009

[This article from Marshall reveals Dollar Store's intent to build in a historic neighborhood on Burleson.]

http://www.marshallnewsmessenger.com/news/content/news/stories/2009/121209_web_city.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=7

General Land Office - Teachers Guide

2009-12-01T09:15:00.001-06:00

Teachers Guide:

Three Centuries on the Land: The Archives of the Texas General Land Office (The Story of Texas is told through the history of its public lands).

Table of Contents
Introduction....................................................................3
History of the
Texas General Land Office.............................................4
Categories
of Land Grants in Texas................................................10
Mineral Files..................................................................15
Digital Preservation Project............................................16
The Campaign to Save Texas History…………………17
Appendix A
Commissioners of the General Land Office....................18
Appendix B
Sources for Further Reading..........................................19

This 20-page document is available online at

http://www.glo.state.tx.us/archives/additionpubs.html

Wooster to edit Gulf Historical and Biographical Record

2009-11-28T20:56:00.001-06:00

Lamar University News release:

Wooster to edit Gulf Historical and Biographical Record

8/18/2009

Texas Gulf Historical Society

Ralph Wooster, distinguished professor of history emeritus at Lamar University, will serve as editor of the Texas Gulf Historical and Biographical Record, Curtis Leister, president of Texas Gulf Historical Society, has announced.

Wooster is a prominent and prolific historian, having authored nine books and more than 70 articles dealing with the history of Texas, the South, Secession, the Civil War and World War II."

This Week in Texas Music History

2009-11-28T20:33:00.001-06:00

KERA in North Texas sponsors Art & Seek: A Community for Arts, Culture, and Creative People. A part of their postings, usually on Friday, are "This Week in Texas Music History."

In order to find a long list of entries, select "Features" and search for "This week in Music History" and you'll receive many entries. Click on each entry and you'll receive a fuller essay, and, yes, Virginia, audio is an option.
Navigation notes remind you that "You can also hear This Week in Texas Music History on Friday on KXT and Saturday on KERA radio. But subscribe to the podcast so you won't miss an episode. And our thanks to KUT public radio in Austin for helping us bring this segment to you."

The current listing is on Scott Joplin, the ragtime man.
http://www.artandseek.org/

Connect 2 Texas web site

2009-11-28T13:44:00.001-06:00

Self-described as "

Welcome to the
Connect2Texas web site!
The purpose of this site is to promote programs offered by interactive videoconferencing providers in the State of Texas. Click here to see the list of providers

TEACHERS: Not sure what to expect with a content program? Click here to see a sample program from Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, or click here for a brief overview of Connect2Texas (these files will play in Windows MediaPlayer).

An interesting development worth checking out .
http://www.connect2texas.net/

The following providers have programs listed on this site
Amon Carter Museum Bass Performance Hall Botanical Research Institute of Texas Cook Children's Medical Center Education Service Center Region XI Fort Worth Museum of Science and History Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge McDonald Observatory	Monnig Meteorite Gallery at TCU National Archives Fort Worth National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame Sid Richardson Museum Texas Wildlife Association The Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum The Grace Museum UNT Health Science Center

Houston Chronicle's Today in Texas History

2009-11-28T13:30:00.001-06:00

The Houston Chronicle blog Texas on the Potomac for last several months has been rather steady in adding 2, 3, or 4 entries a week to their Today in Texas History postings. Enough to keep regular tabs on, good reading. I've added it to my Yahoo homepage. You may want to try it.

http://blogs.chron.com/txpotomac/

Will's Texas Parlor

Paris, Texas - the Movie

Arte Publico Archival Collection

New full-text archive: Arte Público Hispanic Historical Collection

Phil Collins and the Alamo

Is Holland Taylor Ann Richards?

Is Kathleen Turner Molly Ivins?

Texas Mystery Month - May

Texas Observer Writers Festival Lacunae

Southern Methodist University Press to Die?

TEKS Watch

Texas Wildflowers by Slight Clutter

Journal of Texas Women Writers

Journal of Texas Women Writers a digital Journal

Vol 1, No 2 (2009)

Table of Contents

Foreword

Articles

Fiction

Poetry

Digital Collections - Texas History, Literature, etc.

State Preservation Plan - 10 year review

1813 Texas Revolution

Lone Star Lit 101

Retro / Metro Texas

DRT Elaine Davis Award

Texas Observer Writers' Festival

Preserve Historic Structure and Archeological Sites

Texas Preservation Trust Fund

Historic School Buildings

Wildflowers Map DoT

Archives War video

Skulls, Slaves, and Sex, Secrets of Early Texas

El Paso Literary Heritage - Con Tinta

Medina Courthouse - Storage or Restoration

DRT Texas 23rd History Forum May 22

Fess Parker dies but Davy lives!

Methodical Clerical Change in Harleton

Observations on the Pulpwood Queens Book Club

Austin's Old 300 Settlers' Descendants

Bexar Archives Going Electric

News from UT's CAH:

"Briscoe Center Awarded TexTreasures Grant for Bexar Archives

Will's Texana Youtube Channel

New Texana Videos on Youtube

New Videos from tamucarchives

New Videos from 1940AirTerminal

New Videos from NTxHistoryCenter

New Videos from PPHMConnectionCast

New Videos from texasfarmbureau

New Videos from HeirloomProject

New Videos from: "history texas"

Texas Handbook and Communities

Texas Plantation Life

Lowman American / Texas History Collection

Texas Historical Commission's Preservation Conf

Houston Metropolitan Research Center Reopens April 5

Call for Papers West Texas Historical Assn

BLUEGRASS AND TRAINS APRIL 10TH

Texas Cemetery Rules Change

Houston History in the Examiner - Marie Brannon

Political History - Sharpstown - Oral history

Texas Bison Association

History of Texas Auto License Plates

Travis Writes Letter Today

Swante Palm Born Today

Gillespie County and Enchanted Rock

Enchanted Rock with Trees Growing from Cracks

Chicana and Chicano Studies

Texas Mall History

Historical Marker Database

Texas State Historical Meeting in Dallas

Texas Labor Management Hall of Fame

Charlie Wilson Died

"Charlie Wilson, US politician who secretly funded CIA in Afghanistan, dies"

Librarian Lillian Bradshaw Dies

Friday, February 12, 2010 By JOE SIMNACHER / The Dallas Morning News

Preservation of African American Schools in Texas

"SE Texas group works to save black schoolhouses"

Billy Porterfied Archives Go To Texas State University