See the Sites - THC - Blogging for Historical Sites

Recently the Texas Historical Commission began a blog "See the Sites."  The postings' focus on particular historical sites, with some attention to current events at those.  The narrative is supplmented with colorful photos.  And there's a touch of experimentation with embedding video.  Over a dozen postings so far.   See the Sites:  telling the real stories at the real places of Texas: From western forts to Victorian mansions and pivotal battlegrounds, the Texas Historical Commission's 20 state historic sites exemplify a breadth of Texas history. Come explore the real stories at the real places. See more at http://seethesites.blogspot.com/

Real Texas Blog - David Werst

ALERT!!  David Werst has escaped into light supervision status with his retirement from the Texas journalism business.  But in order to give cover of the nature of his diurnal and noctural proclivities, he's been given possession of a computer.  And we're all the better for it.  His Real Texas Blog is a humane exploration of his werst werld.  Actually, I believe his best production is his several minute introduction to his Chicken House Plan by video (he's got an associated Youtube account).  And there's the brisket, stuffed jalapeno, and tamle lessons.  The capper is the Somali cruise option, offering, yes, second amendment accoutrements.  But David mainly plumbs the deeper, poignant, social side in Real Texas - even drilling for water and a funeral. For a little reality, pleasanties, and an occasional slap of the leg, read David Werst.   http://realtexasblog.com/

TexDraft

TexDraft's Blog is architectural and Austin centric.  And it also has a considerable historical building interest.  The blog bears watching to see if it can maintain its historical theme over time.  Good images. It's self-description is "TexDraft, LLC is an architectural services company specializing in the measurement of existing structures. Francis Mougne founded the firm in 2006 and brings over 12 years of experience to every project. Our as-built drawings are of the highest quality with exceptional detail and accuracy. Delivered in a timely manner TexDraft will streamline all your projects. Our Clients include architects, engineers, building owners and home owners and we measure buildings of all shapes and sizes, residential, commercial or otherwise. Give us a call today or drop us an email."   Recent posts include A Room With A View – Austin Style The Scoot Inn – Music & Old Texas Architecture Fannie Davis Town Lake Gazebo More Home Slice Pizza & Art & Architecture Austin's Mexican American Cultural Center Airstream Architecture Early Texas Architecture   http://texdraft.wordpress.com/

Educational Equity, Politics & Policy in Texas

Angela Valenzuela (based at UT) founded the "Educational Equity, Politics & Policy in Texas" blogsite.  It is self-described as "This blog on Texas education contains posts on accountability, testing, dropouts, bilingual education, immigration, school finance, race, class, and gender issues with additional focus at the national level. This blog reflects the work and contributions of both University of Texas Professor Angela Valenzuela and UT Education, Policy and Planning graduate student, Patricia Lopez."  Some recent posts include Success Obscured by Controversy Sacramento-area schools use race-based assemblies ... Study Cites Dire Economic Impact of Poor School Universities asked to establish more Center for Me... 'Pathways' option for dropouts Court weighs state's duty to English learners Read more at http://texasedequity.blogspot.com/

SA History Blog

KENS Channel 5 television has a history blog of San Antonio - SA History.  Chris Marrou is the reporter.  Marrou files stories weekly at about 300 words in length with two or more graphics each.  The images are from diverse repositories and services.  The stories are often spurred by a story of modern times with a historical connection, eg.,. http://www.beloblog.com/KENS5/sahistory/2009/03/comparing-today-to-the-depress.html but some are just good to re-live, like when Elvis came to town http://www.beloblog.com/KENS5/sahistory/2009/04/the-day-the-music-began.html  Thanks, Chris and Belo.  More newspapers should capitalize on their information resources this way. http://www.beloblog.com/KENS5/sahistory/

San Antonio Remembers

San Antonio Public Library's  Texas / Genealogy departmental Texana staff started a blog last February called "San Antonio Remembers."  It combines at least 5 identifiable components:  selected typical images (photos, posters, etc.), newspaper clippings, a "this day in San Antonio history," occasional interpretative essaylets of the material, and occasional gestures to San Antonio snippets on other webpages.  It's a good combination.  A particular bright point is their ability to insert photo slide shows as well as single photographs.  The website  is more dynamic and useful.  I do suggest that they adopt a logo for easy visual remembrance.  Maybe they'll be able to provide short lists of new SA books (librarians are like that).  Congratulations!  This continuing sharing of SAPL's material is admirable.  Instead of hiding behind procedures, policies, prices, and protocols, they've found an easy way of promoting the institution and increasing the public's awareness of this public commodity, enabling users to use the material in this fashion, to solicit public infomation about the collection, and demonstrate SAPL's genuine desire and ability to serve the public while maintaining the material's physical integrity.   They also do a good job of tagging the entries. Other Texana collections are advised to see SAPL's work for possible emulation. http://sanantonioremembers.blogspot.com/

SFA Tides Blog

Stephen F. Austin State University's successful TIDES program to assist teachers and students now has its own blog at http://tidessfasu.blogspot.com/ in addition to its regular site http://tides.sfasu.edu/ TIDES: Teaching, Images, & Digital Experiences Its self-description : "Providing a free database of primary source documents, lesson plans for educators, and virtual expeditions while building community partnerships and preserving the history and culture of East Texas and beyond."