Re: Local Animal Exits This Paradise Theater

Eric’s post, of course, reminded me of this. Cue this.

Local Animal Exits This Paradise Theater

In tribute to Babe, the 40-year-old ‘phant who died yesterday.

Babe, your train is going. I see it in your eyes.

(Pouring a 40.)

Cue this.

Dinner and a Movie (and a Movie, and a Movie, and a Movie, and a Movie)

Usually, my wife and I do a pretty good job of seeing all (or most) of the films nominated for Best Picture — unless one of them happens to be a British period piece. This year, we’re way behind, with only No Country for Old Men and Juno under our belts, with a tentative screening of There Will Be Blood penciled in for Sunday. If you’re like me (and if you are, yes, I do think you’re handsome), AMC Theaters has a deal that might help you rectify the situation. On February 23, they will be playing all five Best Picture nominees back-to-back; $30 gets you all five, and unlimited popcorn. Hit the link for locations and a schedule. (Hat tip: Pop Candy.)

Has Tribeca Lost Its Liquor License? (UPDATE: Nope)

That seems to be the case, according to a strange-fax-receiving FBvian:

I had a fax this morning from Tribeca, no clue how they got my fax number, but they have lost their liquor license and are now unloading all of their booze this weekend…free after 9pm!

Going out of business and leaving a void in the cool rooftop patio arena.

Anyone from Tribeca out there with your ears on, confirm or deny at your leisure.

UPDATE: Check out the comments for the story behind the fax. Long story short? It was a prank, and apparently it’s been happening a bunch. No free drinks. Bar staying open. Nothing to see here. Sorry Tribeca. Print out this post; it’s redeemable for one stern look of admonishment and maybe a purple nurple.

Anatomy of a D Magazine Photo Shoot

If you haven’t yet, you should read Zac Crain’s splendid essay in the February issue of the “print product” about smoking and how cool smoking is and how Zac has tried to quit smoking and how the city used to have a much different attitude toward “Lady Nicotine.” Really good stuff. Again, I’m glad Zac couldn’t gather enough signatures to run for mayor. He’s a good magazine writer man.

Now, here’s a little bonus. Have a look at the photo that opens the story, on the left. In the “print product,” designer David Radabaugh used the picture to satirize an old Newport ad. Here I’ve given it to you straight. That image was just one of three different looks that stylist Mimi Le put together for the photo shoot. The one on the right was an alternate that didn’t make the cut. Jason, the 6-foot-tall landscape designer who is towering over our model, Lindsey? He had to stand on a wooden crate to get into the proper tackling position. In other words, Lindsey = not short herself. And that cigarette? Apparently it had to replaced many times over the course of the hours-long shoot because it repeatedly fell victim to sogginess. Hairstylist Jason Hull? He actually bought a book on ’70s hairstyles in preparation for the shoot, which I found funny. Finally, big ups to photographer Patrick Langlinais, who made the picture-picking decision a tough one.

IM Just Saying: Wes Cox

Remember IM Just Saying? The intermittent FrontBurner feature? “Intermittent” might be a stretch, as there’s only been one other instance of it. Today marks the second. Zac had suggested that I chat up (or iChat or AIM or Adium or whatever form IM Just Saying happens to take) Wes Cox, proprietor of Mavs Moneyball, “an unofficial Dallas Mavericks blog.” The timing was right, as the Mavs are now halfway through the season. Yesterday afternoon, Wes and I virtual chatted about that, soccer, and, um, taxes. Check it out.

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Leppert’s Surprising Views On The Dallas Economy

Shameless Plug Department: How’s Dallas faring from a business/economic standpoint? Mayor Tom Leppert has some surprising views in a straight-from-the-shoulder interview in the new issue of our D CEO magazine. The mayor, for example, doubts that we’ll ever rival Boston or San Francisco’s Bay Area as a “biotech” hub; at the same time, he reveals he’s working behind the scenes to lure more consulates from Europe, Asia, and the Middle East to Dallas. Read his take on the local economy and much more here–or pick up a copy of the February CEO at Borders or Barnes & Noble. Heck, Leppert might even deliver one to you if you ask.

This Cat’s Out of the Bag — ZING!

I can tell you there is very little chance I wouldn’t notice having a cat in my luggage. Especially if it was my cat, who poked a hole in my Adam’s apple last time I tried to get her into a pet carrier. Also, kudos to the airlineTSA. Really a lot of hustle, gang.

Weather Continuing in Dallas

According to the good people at Fox4 in Dallas, the area continues to suffer from no ice storms, although it is still cold and wet out there.

And, while we’re here, did you see the Channel 4 report about the fake ID ring busted at a Plano school? Go. Watch it. Now. Riveting.

Duck? Did Someone Say Duck?

Meet Pâté. He guards the gates to D’s office in East Texas.

More Stainless Steel

Observations from last night:

• Tre Wilcox is very muscly. And very sweet to decline Elizabeth’s offer of an after-party so politely. But Tim’s right—wrong move.
• An entire noble-fir branch of rosemary is too much rosemary to ingest in a single bite. (Ask Adam.)
• Casey Thompson has amazing posture, and she knows how to work a microphone.
• Grabbing a fork and sampling the celebrity chefs’ display dishes is never a good idea, and will likely get you kicked out in a hurry.
• Foodies may love food, but they love to drink even more, as evidenced by the need for a last-minute liquor store run—and those killer white chocolate martinis.
• Nancy Nichols is a star, as evidenced by the $1,600 one winner bid to accompany her to dinner. On a related note, I’d like to auction off the chance to sit with me at my computer as I scour the Internet for more Tony and Jessica news. Checks can be made payable to me.

Friday Fun, Part 2

I can’t help but share this with all the dog lovers in Dallas.

Dallas: You Ducked Well

According to the award-winning weathercasters at Channel 11, the rain is breaking up, and there is no ice on the streets.

Speaking of Channel 11, did anyone else see Bennett Cunningham’s piece on questionable spending by the NTTA? Fascinating.

Alas, More Jessica and Tony News

Just a day after incorrectly predicting that I was writing what could be the final Jessica Simpson-Tony Romo post, here I am, hating myself for posting more. But my job is to bring you the news, not to maintain any shred of dignity. Seems Jessica has sicced her lawyers on OK! Magazine, insisting the story that Tony has kicked her to the curb is “utterly false” and part of a “smear campaign.” They’re demanding the mag print a retraction. Touchy, touchy. I guess we can look forward to much more ToSo in the future.

Open Letter To News Directors of Channels 4, 5, and 11

Good persons,

The petty humorless grubs at Channel 8 don’t want me sending traffic to them any longer during weather events. Each of you knows the traffic we send (it’s why we’re begged for links all the time), so I’m asking which of your stations will grant me permission to put online a screen grab of your web site’s weather radar. I promise that every time I do so, I will include a link to the weather section of your station’s web site as well as a gratuitous praise of a recent report by your station.

I can be reached at ericc@dmagazine.com.

Re: A Very Preliminary Report on Last Night’s Stainless Steel Chef Competition

A co-working FrontBurnervian just reminded me of the best line from last night. It came from our sozzled staff photographer, Elizabeth “The Spider Monkey” Lavin, who was eager to meet the very ripped chef Tre Wilcox. When I introduced the two, the first words out of Elizabeth’s mouth were: “I don’t like to eat.” Then she asked Tre — three times — if he’d like to join her and some of the other D girls at the after party. Tre very politely declined the offer. (Which, honestly, I thought was the wrong move.)

A Very Preliminary Report on Last Night’s Stainless Steel Chef Competition

Thanks to all who joined us, to the Milestone Culinary Arts Center for hosting, to the judges for judging, and especially to the six great chefs who each prepared two dishes that included the secret ingredient, red snapper. This year’s competition was another great success. Take this as one indicator: at last year’s Stainless Steel Chef Competition, we went through 12 cases of wine. This year we plowed through 15 cases before making a run to the liquor store to procure more. Your winner this year — in something of an upset, given the celebrity of some of the other contestants — was David McMillan, of 62 Main. We’ll have more photos taken by people equipped with something other than an iPhone, and the incomparable Kyle will soon have video to share. Meantime, here’s some snaps to tide you over. First, a shot of Nancy that she’ll probably ask me to take down when she gets to work. Next, Shannon Wynne shows his true colors. And, finally, the contestants (from left): Casey Thompson (Shinsei), Tre Wilcox (formerly of Abacus), Kelly Hightower (Kavala Mediterranean Grill), Kevin Maxey (Craft), Tim Love (Lonesome Dove), and David McMillan.

Friday Fun

I admit, today’s Friday Fun might not be so fun for everyone. After all, I’m a huge, huge fan of Tetris (space shuttle every time, yo) and even I am uncertain as to the promise of Tetrical. It’s Tetris … in 3-D. Check it out. If you dare.

TXU Employees Not Happy About Moving to DART-less Las Colinas

Speaking of TXU’s impending departure from downtown Dallas (set for March 31), the company will relocate about 400 employees. I’m told by an informed source that about half of those folks ride DART to work. The grumbling you hear is coming from the 200 people at 1601 Bryan whose commute to work is about to become less pleasant.

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Leading Off

1. Farmers Branch councilguy Tim O’Hare surprises no one in saying that he would focus on city redevelopment in his run for mayor. To see who would most likely benefit from such an effort, re-read Craig Hanley’s story on Farmers Branch.

2.  Dallas’s new animal shelter says it will ensure humane treatment of animals after complaints that untrained personnel were mishandling animals there.

3. More firms not named TXU are moving from the burbs into downtown Dallas. Maybe they can high-five the depressed TXU workers on their way out to Las Colinas.