Category Archives: Plato’s Republic

pertaining to government, the public sector, governance, democracy, politics, issues pertaining to such, like “freedom of speech” concepts

47 posts so far in March to Plastic Alto by Mark Weiss, plus this photo of him, at BV rally

Posted on March 12, 2015 by markweiss86

Thanks, Winter: (I was wearing a suit to atone for wearing pajamas to the County Supervisors hearing back in January, I described below. In case a casual Plasty reader does not match the svelte guy tossing a bowling ball in … Continue reading →

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‘Joe McCarthy to come back or Bates Motel?’ queries Christopher Matthews, Hardball MSNBC

Posted on March 12, 2015 by markweiss86

I was nodding off late night but wanted to bone up on Chris Matthews, who I still call “Christopher Matthews”. Not that I read him when he was in Bay Area but that I roomed at Dartmouth with Scott Rafshoon … Continue reading →

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Mr. Dubois Goes To HRB

Posted on March 12, 2015 by markweiss86

Tom Dubois, fledgling Palo Alto City Council member, attended the Historic Resources Board meeting Thursday. He is the liaison from the Council to the Board. “Liaison” being fancy French word for “designated driver” of policy. HRB, Bunnenberg, Brower, Makinen, Kohler, … Continue reading →

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CBGB w. CDBG

Posted on March 11, 2015 by markweiss86

This ain’t no HUD club, or CDBG Help me write a parody of “Life During Wartime” by Talking Heads about the gentrification of Stevenson House in Palo Alto, founded by the Unitarians in 1968 but taken over by billionaire real … Continue reading →

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‘McDonalds Fast Food Soul’ destination at Edgewood Plaza, and I’ll waive my finders fee

Posted on March 10, 2015 by markweiss86

I’m lovin’ it, bringing a McDonalds lab to Edgewood Plaza, where Fresh Market is slip sliding away. The New York Times had a big story Sunday about McDonalds re-tooling itself under the leadership of a youngish, hippish Brit named Easterbrook. … Continue reading →

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Simi w. Tsimmes

Posted on March 9, 2015 by markweiss86

Simi is a new nickname for Joe Simitian, a leading local politician. Tsimmes is a Jewish soul food, a sweet stew made from carrots. edit: No, “simi” is Joe, “tsimmes” is Simitian/Hughes.

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‘Heaven Help Us All’ by Claire Daly, at Blues Alley, 2013

Posted on March 9, 2015 by markweiss86

(Claire Daly,more known as a bass clarinet side person than leader, composer or singer, sang this same song, originally recorded by Stevie Wonder, at Art 21 Gallery, on the corner of Hamilton and Alma, very near the tracks, in summer, … Continue reading →

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Za 4 BV w/Simi

Posted on March 9, 2015 by markweiss86

Dear Friend, I’m asking you for one hour of your time tonight to help save the homes of 400 Palo Altans. The Buena Vista Mobile Home Park is in danger of being shut down. Not only is it the last … Continue reading →

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Alphabet soup: ‘lie-tech’ jargon w. Wu Tang Clan

Posted on March 8, 2015 by markweiss86

Today I am shedding up on “low income housing tax credit” sometimes referred to as “lie-tech” or “lit-C”. Dig? I have a list of 31 TLA three-letter acronyms on the topic. And since this is a music column, it brings … Continue reading →

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Something fishy about Stevenson House new management proposal

Posted on March 6, 2015 by markweiss86

Stevenson House is a 120-unit senior non-profit housing that staff recommends be turned to a for-profit limited partnership, granted a Planned Community zoning exemption, be given $1 M of tax payers money from SUMC (Stanford hospital expansion hush money slush … Continue reading →

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