Wait, Facebook Can Do That?

Someone sent me this story about a Southlake man, but I’m more intrigued by what the headline suggests. (Note to self: Explore Facebook.)

Minding His Business in Midway Hollow

A neighbor of Nancy’s has some questions that perhaps the FB Nation could help with.

As a resident of Midway Hollow, I am vehemently opposed to the preservation district and have attended a meeting and seen the media campaign they are mounting (news stories on Channels 8 and 4 this past Saturday).

My question to the two of you is have you seen any organization/groups opposed to this effort. What can I do to protect my property value and my ability to do with it what I see fit? If you have heard of any such groups would you mind letting me know if you have the time to do so.

My wife and I just moved to the neighborhood last December and absolutely love the area but I really do not like the idea of the preservation district one bit. I think that my house is currently just outside the proposed area but fear it could creep up and sucker me in.

Where I’ll Be Tonight

Judging the Ms. Mature Irving pageant at the Irving Arts Center/Carpenter Theater. I’ll likely do a live blog. [Checks hip flask.] Yes, likely.

Problem: I need two questions to ask contestants. I’m thinking “Recent polls have shown one-fifth of Americans can’t find the US on a world map. Why do you think this is?”

Any other suggestions, FB Nation?

The Smokeout: Day 4

I’ll probably give you guys one more update, on Monday, just to let you know I made it through the weekend OK. At this point, I’m almost positive I will. I’m close to fully detoxed, and no longer feel like kicking through a wall of puppies (or anything else) to get the sweet relief of a lung full of smoke. Minor trouble spot: My wife is leaving me alone with the Golden Child all weekend. Might ratchet up the stress levels a little bit. But I doubt it’ll affect me too much. Especially since, if I caved and started up again, I’d have to hear his little speech about how “only bad guys smoke.” Jerk.

No, Really, The Indictments Are Coming

Yesterday we said the FBI may hand down indictments in its probe of City Hall in the next 72 hours. Well, the Feds may not be bluffing. Former Councilman James Fantroy says the Bureau has offered him a plea deal but he ain’t biting. The Feds want him to dish on what he knows about bribery and affordable housing contracts, and when he knew about them. Fantroy maintains his innocence by way of refusing to comment further. (FYI: kudos to CBS 11’s Jack Fink and whichever producer is working with him. Those guys are way out in front of this story.)

Field Report: Traffic Lights Are Important

Just a heads-up to anyone who is uncertain or unaware: The intersection of Central Expressway’s frontage roads and Mockingbird Lane is just a wee bit busy. Always. Which makes the traffic lights there all the more important, what with their magical traffic management capabilities. But I just sat in traffic for much longer than anticipated at that very spot. For the second time in the past month, the lights are out — blinking red, making them no better than stop signs and causing huge delays. Who knows why. Maybe it’s the construction of the Mockingbird Station expansion. Maybe it’s a conspiracy to get people to use DART. Can’t TxDot install new lights that are more reliable? Oh. Maybe not.

A Quick Friday Rant: Let Me Say This About That

This has nothing to do with Dallas except for the fact that I read it in my STILL unairconditioned house. I do not feel sorry for that guy. After eleven years, he speaks NO English? Hell, after four hours in Africa, I could say “red wine” in Setswana, Afrikaans, Swahili, Zulu, and sign language. Sorry, that dude had two lawyers and he still thought it was a good idea to walk through security with $59,000 cash. Hmm. And he paid how much in income taxes? IJS. Next. Don’t have time to link to Trey’s shout out of my hood, Midway Hollow. I’m one of the few residents without a “Midway Hollow, A Treasure To Keep” sign in my front yard. Why? Because two-bedroom one-bath houses sitting on nearly a quarter of an acre worked in 1950. It is 2007. It’s not like this neighborhood is dripping with architectural distinction. Yes, the trees are fabulous and we should protect them. Midway Hollow People (news peeps on the third floor are you digging this?) it’s time to bloom and grow. Neighbors, if you were smarter, you too could have a bag filled with $59,000 and a pool under the huge live oak tree in your backyard. Next. TXU, Oncor, Stream Energy, whoever else is or has been involved in my ridiculous jostling to get the power turned back on in my house: you are all dead to me. No wait. I’m almost dead because of you. It is hot and I have been on hold for 42 minutes. Make that 57. Timmy, watch my back. Gotta run. Love you. Mean it. Grrr.

Why Oak Cliff Should Vote No

Former councilman Bob Stimson lays out the case against Angela Hunt’s proposal for more traffic congestion and pollution in this week’s Oak Cliff People.

Inside Baseball or Insider Trading?

(Alt. headline: Has Rebecca Dug ‘Erself a Hole?)

Sam Merten has dug up some interesting information on the close relationship between some city hall staffers and backers of the toll road in the Trinity. Whether it’s a mountain or a molehill, I don’t know yet. IJS.

Props to Local Radio Stations

A curious FrontBurnervian wonders why we’ve not yet mentioned that The Little Ticket (1310 AM) took home a Marconi Award, the Oscar of radio (or Emmy, or Obie, or Ozzie), for Sports Station of the Year. Very well, then. Congrats to them. Congrats, also to KLTY-FM (94.9 FM) for Religious Station of the Year. All winners are listed here.

Re: Dallas Woman, Brit Brit

Theresa LaBarbera-Whites is not my biggest fan. Can’t imagine why. That reminds me: While reporting that story, I was given Joe Simpson’s cell phone number. Wonder if it still works.

UPDATE: It doesn’t.

More People Who Can’t Mind Their Own Business

Another group that thinks they should be able to tell their neighbors what to do arises to in “Midway Hollow,” (DBJ - sub. required) unaware that so-called McMansions, like property rights, are a good thing.

Dallas Woman May Or May Not Be Brit Brit’s Savior

So, it says here that Britney Spears has tapped the resources of a Dallas-based A&R guru named Theresa LaBarbera Whites, whom Jive Records recently hired, to work on her latest album. Whites is credited with discovering Beyonce, Destiny’s Child, and Jessica Simpson. (Um… thanks?) The album, still untitled, drops (that’s a music-biz term, kids) November 13. Expect a review from E. Celeste shortly thereafter.

My Shadow Looks Younger, Less Bald Than I Do

This is Kristen. She is from the University of North Texas. She is “shadowing” me today for a class assignment. Currently, she is learning while watching me finish my story that was due weeks ago. And watching me try not to curse. Failing at that, so far. Sorry, UNT professors.

Fair!

It is, as they say, on.

Re: Paul’s Cubicle, 11:09 a.m., Friday, September 28

Does Paul know his last day is Monday? He’s not here yet, and, uh, “his” section needs to be completed by today. Good luck with that work ethic, Boston.

More D Empire Accolades

This time for the D Home team, which just won a national award for intergalactic goodness. The full release after the jump:
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Paul’s Cubicle, 11:09 a.m., Friday, September 28

As we’ve mentioned before in this space, Tall Paul is leaving us to go work at Boston Magazine as a senior editor. We’re going to miss him.

In Case You Don’t Hear From Us For A Bit

Blame this guy. He’s building a new office in … our office. But it’s tough to be mad. He’s so jolly.

Friday Fun

Happy Friday, all. Typically, I try to vet the Friday Fun games so that you can click with confidence, knowing that this space offers a suitable waste of time. Not today. Today, thanks to an offsite, all-company quarterly meeting, I must give you the link and move on. The game is called Manifold, and the instructions make it look simple but I’m not so sure. It has something to do with altering gravity and running around. Good luck. Hope it’s fun.