hurricane dolly – blessing or curse to the hot texas weather?

Texas weather is something I consider paradoxical. Of course, it’s nothing like the tropical air of Florida, because even on the areas sitting around the Gulf of Mexico can still be as hot as the desert. Humidity makes it even worse. Our last trip to San Antonio was a torture to the skin. Yet when you go drive up Wichita Falls, you’ll beg for a hurricane.

Speaking of hurricanes, we just got news that a new tropical storm, hurricane Dolly, will be on its way to the U.S.-Mexican border, affecting Brownsville, South Padre, and other neighboring counties. Obviously if you’re planning a trip to Schlitterbahn on the southern paradise of Texas, you’re gonna have to rethink your plans. In this time of the year, Texas weather is starting to be a little bit unpredictable, so brace yourself.

I’ll be happy for a little bit of rain in this 103-degree heat of our north Texas home. For more Texas weather report about hurricane Dolly see this link on Dallas News

texas roadhouse – the food and money report

There’s a Texas Roadhouse restaurant in almost every county and city in Texas. A lot of those who have dined in here may actually confuse it with Logan’s Roadhouse, because food is pretty much the same, except the former seems to be more popular. Who ever lives in Texas and doesn’t like ribs, steaks, and chicken barbecue? Texas Roadhouse is one of my favorite places to chow them. For a girl with a small appetite like me, it’s hard to resist when the steamy plate of fresh bread, sides, and ribs come in.

If you are interested in current news about Texas Roadhouse stocks and financials in this roller coaster economy, you may want to check out their 2008 financial report on their latest press release.

Otherwise, stop by in one Texas Roadhouse joint and dine in cowboy-style, if you must!

Texas Department of Public Safety Issues New Driving Laws

by Richard Whittaker 

Last session, the Legislature failed to agree on how to fund new highways, but it did pass a lot of laws, coming into effect Sept. 1, about what drivers and school-bus-users can and can’t do on existing roads.

Several of these laws hold that not all drivers and driving offenses are created equal: House Bill 586 means a ticket for speeding more than 95 miles per hour can’t be dismissed with a driving-safety class. Senate Bill 153 rules that the responsible driver in the car with a learner can’t be drunk or asleep. “It seems pretty obvious that you should be paying attention to these new drivers so that if there is any dangerous driving, it can be corrected immediately,” said Tela Mange, spokeswoman for the Texas Department of Public Safety.

Similarly, HB 84 ends license renewal by mail or online for drivers older than 79 and requires an eyesight test every two years for drivers older than 85. Currently, families can contact the DPS about a relative they feel is no longer physically capable of driving, but few do. “When you take away someone’s driving license, you’re taking away their ready independence,” said Mange, “and a lot of people weren’t prepared to do that to their parents. This is just another way of making sure that someone who shouldn’t be driving has to come into DPS.”

HB 3190 tightens up the traditional autonomy of school districts when it comes to buses. Originally a simple 14-line bill barring anyone guilty of vehicular manslaughter from being a school-bus driver for 10 years, it swelled into an omnibus school-bus law by session’s end. Students will have to stay in their seats, and schools will not be able to exceed the manufacturer’s stated capacity by squeezing in extra seats. HB 323 will require that all new buses bought by a school district be fitted with lap/shoulder seat belts. It goes into effect Sept. 1, 2010 – but only if the Lege puts the required money into future budgets. No cash, no student seat belts.

Students will, at least in theory, be further protected from guns starting Sept. 1. That’s when HB 2112 extends current firearm bans on school property to buses and parking lots.

Another potentially life-saving bill won’t take effect, however. Although passed with broad support in both chambers, HB 3457, which stopped drivers from leaving diesel-engine buses idling at school events, was vetoed by Gov. Rick Perry at session’s end. “We were deeply disturbed by the governor’s actions,” said Rob D’Amico, spokesman for Texas AFT (formerly the Texas Federation of Teachers). “It wasn’t going to cost a lot of money. It was just about educating drivers in the district about the impact on the environment and an easy way to improve student health.”

That wasn’t the only transport-safety bill that failed to get on the road. SB 154 would have made Texas the 19th state banning drivers from using a cell phone without a hands-free device, but it stalled after amateur radio operators claimed it stopped them from assisting emergency services. In any case, the DPS still thinks drivers should put safety over conversations. “Our take all along,” said Mange, “is that anything that distracts drivers from the task at hand of controlling a 4,000-pound vehicle, and that includes talking on a cell phone, is a bad thing.”

source: Austin Chronicle

City of Grapevine ready for 21st GrapeFest

The city of Grapevine, located just north of Dallas-Fort Worth, is ready for a big weekend. Grapevine’s annual flagship event, GrapeFest, takes place Thursday through Sunday.

GrapeFest, billed as “A Celebration of Texas Wines,” is now in its 21st edition. It is the largest wine festival in the Southwest, and was named a Top 100 Event in North America by the American Bus Association.

The People’s Choice Wine Tasting Classic is a festival highlight, and is the largest consumer-judged wine competition in the nation. It focuses on Texas wine.

There is also a black-tie gala, the Texas Wine Tribute, and a Vintner’s Auction.

For a change of pace, attendees can visit the International Wine Garden, check out the culinary and cooking area, or tour local wineries.

There will be plenty of live music, with diverse offerings on six stages. Featured performers include Ty England and Deep Blue Something.

Other diversions include the USTA-sanctioned GrapeFest Tennis Classic, train rides, and wares from numerous arts and crafts vendors.

And yes, there is the GrapeStomp, a team event requiring a barefoot stomper and a helper to catch the grape juice. Trust me, stomping grapes is harder than it looks.

Admission is free all day Thursday and until 5 p.m. Friday. Thereafter, admission prices are $8 for adults, and $5 for senior citizens and children ages 6-12. Younger children may attend free. Weekend passes are also available for $18 and $23 (with souvenir).

For more information, go online at www.grapevinetexasusa.com or call (817) 410-3185.

By Vianei Robinson

Source: Reporternews.com