Nick DiFonzo's The Bolthole has an interesting, long, casual chronology of Texas automobile registration and license plates. Very well illustrated. He begins thisly:
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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
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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
Some rights reserved Creative Commonsby Greg Carley
http://www.flickr.com/photos/11818909@N06/4146684555/in/set-72157622781779833/
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 40th 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.
Read more at http://www.utexas.edu/cola/centers/cmas/news/2126
(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: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.
Read more at
See Hall of Fame Inductees (2003 --- 2004 --- 2005 --- 2006 --- 2007 --- 2008)
The criteria include
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 AirlinesJackie St. Claire (Retired) - United Association of
Plumbers & PipefittersRead more about it: http://www.txlmc.com/Hall_of_Fame.htm
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
"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
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
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/
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| February 5, 2010 by: Melissa Galvez 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. 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
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Searching Calaca Press, a specialist in Hispanic titles, one can find 14 titles using the keyword "Texas."
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.
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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: 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. |
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, founded by Alan Govenar and Kaleta DoolinSelf-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/ |
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. 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. Read more about it: http://www.marshallnewsmessenger.com/news/content/news/stories/stories/2009/011510_web_city.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=7 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. |
| 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/ |
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/ Here's Robb in the editorial phase  |
Seems a little early citizen input could have been useful. Perry: Experts will decide fate of mansion Austin American-Statesman - - 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 ... Abilene Reporter-News - - 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 additionsNews 8 Austin - - 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 challengedDallas 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 mansionDallas 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 - - 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 disasterAustin 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 opponentsAustin American-Statesman - - 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 ... 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 ... |
 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 Agency Responsibilities
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 |
  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 The Local Authors Links include San Antonio Authors: The following links feature additional literary authors who have (or had) a connection 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 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. |
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