Houston, TX

It seems like there is just something magically about the beauties from Texas. Many of the Bachelor hopefuls come from the Lonestar State, including the reigning diva from Season 7, Erica Rose. The 23 year-old socialite is the daughter of the well-known Houston-based plastic surgeon, Dr. Franklin Rose and mother, Cindi Harwood Rose, who is active in the non-profit community in Southeast Texas.

One of the top contenders in Season 8, Amber Alchalabi, also comes from this area and is trying to win the heart of Lt. Andrew James Baldwin. According to reality tv gossip sites, Andy was instantly smitten by the attractive brunette. He reportedly said, “Wow,” when he first saw Amber, who quickly told him, “I’ll probably be the sweetest one here,” in reference to her hometown of Sugarland, Texas.

Unfortunately, Sugarland isn’t sweet on the Bachelor. Amber teaches fourth grade at Colony Bend Elementary School, where she told the other teachers and students that she was taking a month off from school to take care of her sick Aunt. Buddy TV explains: “The bachelorettes are always instructed to give their friends and family a cover story, as part of a confidentiality agreement to keep the winner a secret until the finale of The Bachelor airs.”

Two parents complained that they felt “lied to” and were upset by the inappropriate content of the show for 9 and 10 year-olds. Although the producers of the show were unable to show any of the children on camera, the camera crew for the Bachelor did shoot some scenes of the outside of the school for the “home visit” shots. The principal of Colony Bend Elementary was aware of her participation in the show, and gave the producers permission to shoot the scenes and allowed Amber to leave during the TAKS testing of her 4th grade students.

On May 1st, KHOU-TV confirmed that the principal, Tammy Carpenter, will be reassigned to another school in the district as a result of the controversy.

Houston - you know how you kind of hate whenever someone says, “Houston. We have a problem,” and get all dramatic? Well, I have a problem.

I’m just not sure what do write on this blog.

Sure, I could put my spin on various local news stories, events, or happenings, but I think that means that I have to be aware of something going on beyond my office door or apartment building. I’ll be honest, I don’t have a window in my office and my apartment faces some trees and a neighboring complex. Most days, I’m lucky if I can remember where I parked my car, let alone what is going on around town.

Then I read Jeff Davis’ post over on the Omaha, Nebraska site about the Governor vetoing a law that would make it illegal for teens to drive and use cell phones at the same time and it reminded me about a little tidbit of news that I heard on the radio this morning while stuck in traffic.

The Houston Chronicle reported today that there is a bill pending in Houston City Council right now to move the curfew for teenagers under the age of 18, up one hour. The existing curfew, which has been in place since 1991, requires teenagers to be off the streets before midnight and during school hours, from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. weekdays.

According to the Chronicle, violators will face $173 fines or community service, which most teens choose rather than forking over their hard-earned money. More than 4,500 citations were issued in 2006, according to police data. More than two-thirds of those were daytime violations.

So my question is, what is the point of moving the curfew up to 11pm on weeknights if only 1/3 of the violations of the curfew occured at night?

Proponents of the new curfew, which would renew the curfew bill that is set to expire on May 11th, cite the rising juvenile crime statistics as a compelling reason for the more strict curfew. Although, the crime rate has increased steadily over the past three years, while the curfew has remained constant.

Only one council member, Councilman Michael Berry, went on the record to say that he would vote against any curfew ordinance.

“It should never be illegal to be outside your house,” Berry said.

I, for one, completely agree with him. The City Council, County, State or Federal government should only use curfews and lock-down policies during declared states of emergency where martial law is in effect. Regardless of a citizen’s age, no authority figures other than the ones feeding and housing a child, should dictate where someone can (or can’t) be at a certain time.

Read the full Houston Chronicle article here to form your own opinions and get the facts.

As for me and this blog, if anyone has any ideas about what I could write, please drop me a line of leave me a comment. I’ll love you forever. Promise.