Posted on October 28, 2009 at 3:39 p.m.

Glad to see Mr. Hamilton has seen the light since opposing The Bridge's downtown site some years back. Dallas' faith community is also taking a lead on the development of affordable housing. By year's end, content partner Larry James' City Walk @ Akard will open about 200 efficiency apartments (including 50 for the formerly homeless) in downtown Dallas' Central Business District (where I plan to live next year). Next month's Justice Revival will also help address Dallas' critical need for housing the working poor can afford so they don't become homeless in the first place.

On Dallas city leaders plan to help homeless

Posted on October 28, 2009 at 3:20 p.m.

Oncor's top reason for managing attachments to our poles is to maintain reliable electric service for public safety. Oncor simply requires ShotSpotter – like all other entities attaching equipment to our poles (including telephone and cable companies) – to meet the National Electric Safety Code. Additionally, as a regulated utility, Oncor is responsible to rate payers, who could face higher costs if our equipment is damaged by third parties.

On Dallas gunshot detection program being delayed by bureaucracy

Posted on October 15, 2009 at 2:09 p.m.

Oncor does notify customers both by hanging a tag on their door in advance and by knocking before entering - as it did in this case. The woman was asleep and didn't hear Oncor's tech at her door - so he proceeded assuming nobody was home. Improved safety and privacy for customers are among the benefits of Oncor's new advanced meters. Not all door hangers are solicitations. If you leave and enter your home through your garage, please check the front door once in awhile.

On Naked woman surprised when Oncor worker entered her backyard

Posted on October 15, 2009 at 12:47 p.m.

Yes, that's me - and yes Mr. Gouldin, you are correct that it's allowed. The good news for the customer and Oncor is that once the new Advanced Meter is installed, it can be read remotely. You can find out when you're getting your meter at SmartTexas.com. Until then, please close your curtains, shutters, or blinds - and wear a robe!

On Naked woman surprised when Oncor worker entered her backyard

Posted on July 31, 2009 at 3:40 p.m.

Thanks Mike! I wonder if Jim Lehrer and Bill Moyers (both Texans, coincidentally) agree re: non-profits since that's what PBS and NPR have modeled successfully for decades. If those examples are too short-sighted since (as he pointed out) foundations rarely support the same causes year in and year out, consider the Pulitzer Prizes - awarded since 1917 - which they still proudly tout. Gripes about Kindle's unfair price structure are also surprising since that's exactly what the DMN demanded of its freelancers last decade.

On Lunch with Robert

Posted on June 11, 2009 at 9:32 a.m.

In Saturday's Dallas Morning News, the paper ran a correction to this story stating Oncor's first generation automated meters are currently in use and will continue to be used for streetlights and other functions where consumer functionality of the newer advanced digital meters isn't needed.

On Oncor wants electricity customers to pay $93 million for smart meters they’ll never use

Posted on May 20, 2009 at 11:42 p.m.

Good news! The ride was not canceled and police provided protection for the riders! More at the DMN. It was a beautiful night for a ride, though inexplicably attendance seemed much lower than in the past couple of years.

On Ride of Silence

Posted on May 20, 2009 at 2:26 p.m.

Just spoke to Ride of Silence founder Chris Phelan. Dallas parks and recreation and police want to be paid to protect tonight's riders. Without it, the ride will technically be "cancelled" - however, bagpipes will still play Amazing Grace at 7pm. Citing the Constitutional freedom of assembly, cyclists who wish to pedal slowly and silently are wholeheartedly encouraged to do so - however, the park gates will not be opened (so be careful).

On Ride of Silence

Posted on May 18, 2009 at 4:44 p.m.

Thanks for posting. The map shown is of East Lawther but the ride actually starts on West Lawther (Google Map here).

On Ride of Silence

Posted on April 20, 2009 at 11:24 a.m.

David Sedaris was raving about his room at the Adolphus during his Arts & Letters Live appearance at SMU last night. I wonder if this will make it in to a future short story of his.

On UPDATEDx2: Adolphus Hotel in downtown Dallas on fire