Groundbreaking - Sibley Nature Center, Midland, Texas
The groundbreaking for Phase 1 of the Sibley Nature Center's expansion took place in Midland on February 12, 2008. Among the attendees was Texas State Representative and Speaker of the House Tom Craddick.
Wind farm east of Midland, TX
video uploaded from my mobile phone
Christmas at the Texas Capitol 2005
This annual edition features a Christmas tour of the Governor's mansion in Austin with Governor Perry and First Lady of Texas Anita Perry, a walk-through of the Speaker of the House of Representatives' apartment in the Capitol (which is the only living quarters for a Speaker of the House located within a state Capitol building in the entire United States) guided by the Speaker's wife Nadine Craddick and the Speaker of the House himself, Tom Craddick, finishing off with a showcase of the Christmas tree in the Chamber of the House of Representatives in the Capitol!
Here Comes Bill
Political Advertisement opposing Republican Bill Welch for his close ties to corrupt Tom DeLay and Speaker Tom Craddick.
Dancing Newspaper Guy
Here's a video clip of a guy that sells newspapers in Midland, Texas. He's hilarious. Totally nuts!!!
Absolute Power
Texas Speaker of the House Tom Craddick condemned by Texas newspapers.
Wrap Up of Texas' 80th Legislative Session
Discussion about the bills passed during the last legislative session in Austin; which came to a close May 28th. Discussed as well was the attempted coup against Texas House Speaker Tom Craddick. Rounding out this edition are some special announcements from two of the leaders of the Valley Legislative Delegation.
All Region Band Midland, TX 2
All Region Band Midland, TX Song 2
Concierge Apartments in Richfield, MN - ForRent.com
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Concierge's luxury community amenities include a huge resort-style outdoor pool with large sundeck, laundry machines on every floor, micro market, recreation room, rock climbing wall, shuffle board, virtual golf simulator, state of the art ping pong table, package notification, online resident portal, on-site maintenance, night patrol, bike repair/storage area onsite, concierge, new clubhouse, nail and hair spa, tennis and volleyball courts, new state of the art fitness center with 'Fitness on Demand' and free weights. Visit the new private movie theater to enjoy a movie or use the onsite grills/BBQ areas while entertaining. Off street parking, short term leases, guest parking, auto pay, and guest suites are available. Also, Concierge has Spanish speaking staff.
As a pet-friendly community, Concierge welcomes both cats and dogs. There is an enclosed 10,000 square foot dog park, convenient indoor pet spa for our furry friends, and doggie DNA sampling.
Live just minutes from Downtown Minneapolis, MSP airport and the Mall of America, while still enjoying the suburban feel of landscaped courtyards, tree-lined picnic and barbecue areas. Easy access to 494, 35W and bus lines. - 7620 Penn Avenue S.
Drought Projected to Last Until 2020
Over a year without any significant rain and now state climatologists are saying this brutal drought could stick around for at least nine more years.
It doesn't matter if you're in North, South, East or West Texas, this drought is hurting everyone and everything.
I know it's a possibility, Burr Williams with the Sibley Nature Center, said. We've had similar extended droughts in the past.
Cool waters in the Pacific and warmer waters in the Atlantic are to blame.
Williams said we've already seen some of the effects in nature.
Very few species produced young this year, he said. We'll see diminished populations of wildlife so it's gonna be some tough times.
Trees have died and insects also dramatically decreased this year, affecting the animals who eat them.
But something of even more concern is our water supply.
I think it's something that we as public officials need to put first on our list, Melton said.
Odessa Mayor Larry Melton said our West Texas roots in oil could benefit us.
We have an ocean of brackish water underneath us and we're going to have to recoup that water, treat it and get it where it's usable, Melton said.
A process known as desalination.
The Colorado River Municipal Water District has had a pretty good record of finding underground water and I think that's the other obvious solution, Melton said.
The Odessa Development Corporation has already authorized $1.5 million to look into the desalination process. Something Mayor Melton said could be inevitable.
It's going to be very expensive, he said. If you don't have water to drink, cost is not an object.
In the next few months, we could see some major changes in the Basin with our water.
Mayor Melton said about 65% of water used in a household is used outside so he said cutting back on outdoor watering could happen in the next few months.
Stephanie Sparkman news conf
Stephanie Sparkman comes out agaist Rick Menchaca, and announces candidacy for Mayor of Midland.
The Night Tom Craddick Stared Down A Rebellion
On Friday night, May 27, 2007, House Speaker Tom Craddick, R-Midland, stared down a bipartisan rebellion, changed the House rules and fired his parliamentarians in a bid to retain power. It set the stage for his ouster two years later. This is what happened that night.
Representative Buddy West Passes Away (6-25-08 @ 6 p.m.)
State Representative Buddy West has passed away. He was 71-years-old.
A family member and a spokesperson for Frank Wilson Funeral Home told NewsWest9 that Mr. West died Wednesday morning around 6:00.
West collapsed while at an Odessa restaurant back on May 29th. Doctors later said he had suffered cardiac arrest. West had been on dialysis since last year, but had been doing well with the treatment. He was transferred from the hospital to hospice care earlier this week.
A moment of silence was observed Wednesday morning at the CEED building in Midland County for Buddy West. Dignitaries and officials had gathered there to unveil the plans for a new performing arts center.
House Speaker Tom Craddick issued a statement on the death of West.
Nadine and I were so sorry to hear of the passing of our friend Buddy West. Buddy was a dedicated public servant to the people of the Permian Basin and to the state of Texas. I had the tremendous honor to serve alongside him and to work with him on issues that affect our closely linked communities of Midland and Odessa. Nadine and I send our heartfelt condolences to Shirley and the West family. We will keep them in our prayers, Craddick said.
Governor Rick Perry also issued a statement on the death of West.
Texas lost a great public servant when Buddy West passed away today. As a dedicated champion for the people of West Texas, Buddy's legacy will live on in the lives of those he touched through his tireless efforts to make Odessa, West Texas and the entire state of Texas a better place, Perry said.
Texas flags will be lowered at the Capitol Complex in Austin on Wednesday, Thursday, and on the date of West's internment. Flags at all state buildings in District 81 will also be lowered Wednesday through the day of internment.
West served Ector, Andrews and Winkler Counties in the Texas House for 16 years. The Republican lost his re-election bid during an April runoff with Odessa attorney and former judge Tryon Lewis. His current term ends at the end of the year.
West was elected to the Texas House in 1992 and served on numerous committees. Before his legislative career, West served on the Ector County School Board.
West was born in Ballinger, Texas on October, 9, 1936 and moved to Odessa in 1944. West graduated from the University of Texas of the Permian Basin with his BBA in business management in 1975. He retired after 30 years with Amoco where he worked as a safety engineer, product technologist, and plant and field technician.
West is survived by his wife, Shirley, seven grandchildren and a great-grandchild.
Visitation:
Thursday, 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. at Frank Wilson Funeral Home in Odessa.
Funeral Arrangements:
Friday, 3:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Odessa with burial Saturday in Austin at Texas State Cemetery.
Representative Buddy West Passes Away (6-25-08 @ 4 p.m.)
State Representative Buddy West has passed away. He was 71-years-old.
A family member and a spokesperson for Frank Wilson Funeral Home told NewsWest9 that Mr. West died Wednesday morning around 6:00.
West collapsed while at an Odessa restaurant back on May 29th. Doctors later said he had suffered cardiac arrest. West had been on dialysis since last year, but had been doing well with the treatment. He was transferred from the hospital to hospice care earlier this week.
A moment of silence was observed Wednesday morning at the CEED building in Midland County for Buddy West. Dignitaries and officials had gathered there to unveil the plans for a new performing arts center.
House Speaker Tom Craddick issued a statement on the death of West.
Nadine and I were so sorry to hear of the passing of our friend Buddy West. Buddy was a dedicated public servant to the people of the Permian Basin and to the state of Texas. I had the tremendous honor to serve alongside him and to work with him on issues that affect our closely linked communities of Midland and Odessa. Nadine and I send our heartfelt condolences to Shirley and the West family. We will keep them in our prayers, Craddick said.
Governor Rick Perry also issued a statement on the death of West.
Texas lost a great public servant when Buddy West passed away today. As a dedicated champion for the people of West Texas, Buddy's legacy will live on in the lives of those he touched through his tireless efforts to make Odessa, West Texas and the entire state of Texas a better place, Perry said.
Texas flags will be lowered at the Capitol Complex in Austin on Wednesday, Thursday, and on the date of West's internment. Flags at all state buildings in District 81 will also be lowered Wednesday through the day of internment.
West served Ector, Andrews and Winkler Counties in the Texas House for 16 years. The Republican lost his re-election bid during an April runoff with Odessa attorney and former judge Tryon Lewis. His current term ends at the end of the year.
West was elected to the Texas House in 1992 and served on numerous committees. Before his legislative career, West served on the Ector County School Board.
West was born in Ballinger, Texas on October, 9, 1936 and moved to Odessa in 1944. West graduated from the University of Texas of the Permian Basin with his BBA in business management in 1975. He retired after 30 years with Amoco where he worked as a safety engineer, product technologist, and plant and field technician.
West is survived by his wife, Shirley, seven grandchildren and a great-grandchild.
Visitation:
Thursday, 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. at Frank Wilson Funeral Home in Odessa.
Funeral Arrangements:
Friday, 3:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Odessa with burial Saturday in Austin at Texas State Cemetery.
Hot Seat: Craddick, Lewis and Seliger on Public Ed Cuts
At last Friday's Hot Seat conversation at the University of Texas of the Permian Basin, state Reps. Tom Craddick, R-Midland, and Tryon Lewis, R-Odessa, and state Sen. Kel Seliger, R-Amarillo, talked about the impact of public education cuts on West Texas — and whether they'd like a do over.
Capitol - Bill Dingus for State Representative
Since Tom Craddick became Speaker of the Texas House he has collected more than six million dollars in special interest contributions.
To find out where all the money came from go to CraddickSpecialInterestMillions.com
America
America cover (Originally by Simon & Garfunkel).
This is Ian's first professional music video as a solo artist. The song appeared on his third studio album-- Mind the Gap.
For more information on Ian or the video, visit iangregoryblain.com or like his Facebook page at facebook.com/iangregoryblain
Videography by
Dylan Riley
Matthew Speer
David Blain
Video Editing by
Hunter Blain
Ian Blain
New Speaker & Budget Challenges
Capitol Report, Jan. 6, 2009 -- to learn more about the Texas budget and how to get involved. Joe Straus will be the next House Speaker, but he enters office with a strong state economy that is starting to show signs of the national economic turmoil creeping in. This episode includes a brief interview with outgoing Speaker Tom Craddick.
Giant beehive has neighborhood buzzing
Giant beehive has neighborhood buzzing
Birds of a feather...
In large numbers in the basin, flock together