The courthouse has the homelike and neighborly atmosphere that I used to enjoy at my old precinct, now abolished. I’ve always liked the courthouse, anyhow, for its snack bar and the lively bulletin boards and the offices that always seem to have that personal touch. I’ve never been in that building without seeing somebody I know. It’s too bad that more and more services that used to be available there have been moved out to Airport, where the property-tax office has been now for a while. We considered voting yesterday at the H-E-B at Congress and Oltorf, but there was a line. Those eligible to vote but still undecided may wish to check the local League of Women Voters site, which has links to early polling locations, to Election Day precinct locations, and to the LWV non-partisan guide to candidates and issues. Pay attention to warnings about the special Congressional election, if relevant to you, because a straight-ticket vote doesn’t work for that. Some were having a bit of difficulty in advancing to the pages containing the Austin municipal-bond election, so that’s something else to watch out for. There’s lots of traffic connected with the Book Festival this weekend, so it’s best to stay away from Eleventh Street.