Lucky 13

Judge Ellis, smarter than the average groundhog

WTF

The Harris County jury returned a guilty verdict after deliberating 45 minutes in a murder case, but the judge realized he had a real problem. Sitting in the jury box were 13 citizens.

...

“In 23 years I’ve never seen anything like this,” the judge said. “The jurors all seemed pretty upset, but there’s no way to unring that bell.”

The lone GOP criminal judge to win re-election in November, [Kurt] Ellis placed the blame squarely on a substitute bailiff, whose name he didn’t know. His regular bailiff was sick.

“I told him I never want to see him in my courtroom again,” Ellis said.

via Chron

Tomorrow at Caroline Collective: Twestival

Join us at Caroline Collective on February 12th for the Houston Twestival. Intermingle outside in the courtyard and listen to local Houston bands, intermix inside and listen to local Houston djs. Buy a raffle ticket and win prizes like a Family Membership to the Children’s Museum of Houston, a Paintball Party for your friends, a Linux Journal Power Pack, a complete one room interior redesign, tickets to the HMNS, photography shoots, sewing classes, gelato, gift certificates to local restaurants, and more!

On February 12, 2009, over 105 cities around the world will host Twestivals, bringing together Twitter communities for an evening of fun to raise money and awareness for charity: water. Houston, the fourth largest city in the United States, home to a diverse population and vibrant digital community, will be one of the premiere cities for Twestival 2009.

7pm Blue Funk, http://blue-funk.com

8pm Snake Charmers, http://thesnakecharmers.net

9pm Wayside Drive, http://waysidedrive.com

10pm Red Eye Carl and the Pirates, http://cdbaby.com/cd/redeyecarl

if you’d like to donate, please visit the Amiando event page:

HOUSTON’s GOAL: RAISE $4000 to BUILD A WELL!

You are welcome to join in the fun (yes, it will be!) and help out by becoming a Sponsor, Volunteer, or donating for any of our Needs.

For more information, please contact Grace Rodriguez on Twitter (@gracerodriguez) or via email (grace [at] aynbrand.com). Thanks!

(This event is free, all ages and open to the public)

via CC

plus follow me on twitter too

Intrigue in Boston

Was Shepherd Fairey arrested to embarrass the Mayor of Boston?



Wooster Collective takes a well worded look at the conspiracy theory that is probably behind the resent arrest of OBEY outside the ICA on the eve of his largest exhibit to date.

via Wooster (read it HERE)

The real story about Shepard Fairey's arrest in Boston Friday night is the resulting riot that didn't happen – a riot that the Boston Police Department may have carefully planned to provoke and hoped would happen that evening, but didn't.

On January 2nd, Boston Mayor Thomas Menino proposed a one-year wage freeze for city workers, including the Boston Police Department. The Boston Police Superior Officers Federation agreed to a contract on January 23, but not until after the city dismissed its residency case against West Roxbury Police Sergeant Michael Hanson. In the mix of the deal was an alleged list of more than 25 superior police officers who are living outside the city in violation of their contracts' residency requirements. Through the use of strong-arm tactics, the Mayor got his wage freeze and at least 25 of Boston's Finest got to keep their jobs. The following day, two warrants were issued for Shepard Fairey's arrest.

On Wednesday, February 4th, Mayor Menino met with Shepard and was photographed shaking his hand following the unveiling of Fairey's 'Peace Goddess' banner on the North wall of City Hall at a public event to promote his show, Supply and Demand, at the Institute of Contemporary Art / Boston. Thursday night Shepard sat for a Q-and-A talk at the ICA which was publicized by the museum after which he signed autographs for more than an hour. Shepard was not arrested until two full weeks after the warrants had been issued and after numerous public appearances in Boston.

The obvious question is: Why did the police take so long after the warrant was issued to apprehend their man? Was it a matter of pure incompetence? As admiring fans of his work, were the police giving him opportunity to make appearances and put more art out on the streets of Boston? I don't think so.

...

It's my opinion based on what I experienced, Shepard Fairey became a pawn in an ugly political game in which the Boston Police Department was willing to risk the safety of the citizens it has sworn to protect in order to punish the Mayor for his shady deal. With cops and city government officials like that, who needs criminals? Apparently they do.

-Dave Combs, publisher of PEEL Magazine

Gigantic

Pics From Two Places Going In Opposite Directions

Closing Party for "Iraqi Artists in Exile" at The Station hosted by the Palestinian Film Festival



























and pics from the opening of cody and brian's show at the joanna "we've got babies in here!!!"












gettin' cute on the couch









errybody drew on the Heath Ledger

It's Spreading

Newsday reports:

A hacked electronic highway sign in northwestern Texas carried an international message that seemed to predate, well, the use of electricity. The sign Friday briefly flashed: "OMG The British R coming. They R watching you."

A statement from Austin Bridge & Road says someone "with a questionable sense of humor" accessed the password on the message board. The portable sign that was hacked has since been removed, since a permanent exit sign has been installed.

A Curious Place