The Ashton Had Reservations About Tank Johnson as a Resident

There’s that tidbit and more in this ESPN profile a helpful FrontBurnervian sent along of the Cowboy in waiting.

Hicks, Grace Flight Helping Transplant Patient

Breaking news on that story about Andrew Madden, the young heart-transplant patient who needed a lift to Boston to watch his beloved Bosox in the World Series. Seems that thanks to the efforts of Butch Smith — a honcho with Addison-based Grace Flight of America — an unidentified owner of the Cutter Aviation FBO at Collin County Regional Airport has offered up his Hawker 700 corporate jet to whisk Andrew to Beantown Thursday. And, Smith adds, mega-mogul Tom Hicks has stepped up to the plate to buy all the fuel for the trip. Takeoff time from the McKinney airport tomorrow: 10 a.m.

Original Chili’s Closing on Halloween

It’s true. A Chili’s-patronizing FrontBurnervian emailed me that she heard the Chili’s at Greenville and Meadow — this one –is closing on Halloween. I called to confirm (like a reporter!), and Brandon the manager said, Yep. Sad but true. That one was the original, donchaknow.

Update: As a couple of Old-Timer fans have reminded me, that was the original Chili’s location, but not actual building. (The first one burned down. Or was it the widening of Meadows?)

New Site For Wittenburg Door

The self-described “World’s Pretty Much Only Religious Satire Magazine” has a new Web site in beta. Old. New. Check it out, including John Bloom’s excuse for the site’s late arrival.

Texas Observer Celebration in Lakewood on Monday

If you attend the “Texas Observer on the Road” concert/reading at the Lakewood Theater, you may see me there. If I’m not there, I will not have a good excuse, since the theater is exactly a quarter mile from my front door. If I do attend, I’ll get to see a documentary on the Texas Observer, listen to some great progressive journalism being read, and sway to the stylings of Jimmie Dale Gilmore. In other words, you should go no matter what I do.

Re: Uncle Barky Lands Rebecca Aguilar Interview

I’ve refrained from commenting on this because I never saw the report. But there’s no question that, regardless Aguilar’s actions, to suspend a reporter because of a backlash to a story (legit or not), and for the editors/producers at the station to take no responsibility, is the height of professional cowardice.

D’s Own David Hopkins Signs Copies of His Graphic Novel

David Hopkins, who contributed the great Fearing’s comic strip that ran in our October issue, will sign copies of his new graphic novel, Karma Incorporated, today at Zeus Comics on Oak Lawn, from 4-8 p.m. Short notice, I know, but definitely worth the trip.

(Also, if you enjoyed the Fearing’s piece, I’ll let you in on a secret: David and his partner Paul Milligan have another strip running in our December ish. It’s even better.)

Uncle Barky Lands Rebecca Aguilar Interview

She speaks for the first time since being suspended. It’s worth a read. I still think Aguilar goofed. But this story went a long way toward explaining what she was thinking as she produced her report. It will also likely get her fired.

Dirk Nowitzki: At a Crossroads

So says this NBA preview, courtesy of the greatness that is Free Darko’s Bethlehem Shoals. It certainly will be the only Mavs-related piece you read that includes a line like this:

He came from a far-off land, tutored in a forest to overthrow convention and challenge assumptions.

The next sentence, by the way, mentions griffins and unicorns.

Heart Transplant Patient Gets His Jet

Yesterday we told you about Andrew Madden, a young heart transplant patient who needed a private plane to get to Beantown to see the Sox tonight. The paper had a story about him today. So I’m sure we get more details later. But I’m told by someone at Children’s that Andrew is on his way to see the game. (FrontBurner had nothing to do with, for the record.)

Joe Drape Misses Tex-Mex

Joe Drape is a sports writer for the NYT, specializing in horse racing and not doubt readying himself for this weekend’s Breeder’s Cup. (More on that later.) Joe is also an SMU alum, a former Dallas resident, and a great guy to drink a beer or two with. I met him on the roof of Lone Star Park on opening day about a decade ago, and got to know him better the numerous times we ran into each other at Louie’s. Turns out, Joe is also a Tex-Mex connoisseur. Today, he documents his travels in the Tex-Mex triangle of Dallas, San Antonio, and Houston. He’s got a great lede about Herrera’s. (And props to Allison V. Smith for the photo.)

Shouting Match Erupts at City Hall

Roy Williams: “You’re a sellout!” Dwaine Caraway: “I’m a man! I’m 40!” Or something like that.

The Dallas Movie Will Not Die

The producers of the Dallas movie tie yet another cinder block to the swimmer’s foot by adding James Brolin to the cast.

Baseball As America Lecture Series Recap

A hardballing FBvian went last night and was kind enough to tell us how it went:

Even for someone not really a baseball fan, the evening was most interesting. The history, insights, and opinions on old and current issues in baseball were fascinating. I learned, for example, that until 1953 fielders just dropped their gloves on the turf, picking them up when they went back to the outfield. When it was prohibited, no one could remember a time when a glove interfered with play. They just thought it was messy looking. Great start to a good series.

Wick On Wick

In the mail comes a copy of an email to Jim Schutze at the Observer from one Wick Olson:

Hey Jim,  
 Do you know Wick Allison manages to publish D Magazine without displaying children in their adult services section? Why can’t you?

Good question (except that D Magazine doesn’t publish an “adult section” and never will). But let’s move on to a less important point. How did Wick get that funny name? I mean, Olson? What’s that?

Cuban No Longer Dancing, Still Making Weird Faces

In case you missed it — and I would have had anything else been on while I was waiting for the season finale of Damages — Mark Cuban got the boot on Dancing with the Stars last night. This was the first time I’d actually watched the show (the last 20 minutes, anyway) and I have to say it’s extremely confusing. When they announced that driver Helio Castroneves had advanced the the next round, you could hear him and his partner mumbling to each other, wondering if what was just said meant they were on or off. It was weird, since I was mumbling the same thing. But I digress. Anyway, Cubes? You had a good run. Chin up, sir.

Pull Your Pants Up Gets NPR Treatment

In case you missed the Morning Edition report on Deputy Mayor Dwayne Caraway’s attempt to stop “sagging,” here it is. The piece includes info on how South Dallas rapper Dooney came to write the mission’s anthem. Good stuff.

Leading Off

1) Does it matter that Tony Romo isn’t a guitar hero? All he has to do is lead and look dreamy.

2) What does God need with a starship website? More than you’d think.

3) Drugs are bad, mmmkay? Unless it was a while ago and you only shot up a little, mmmkay? In which case, welcome to the DPD, mmmkay?