Motorcade Mystery Solved

Anyone else delayed by a motorcade this morning? (When I hit it on Lemmon, it was heading north on Turtle Creek.) Turns out, it was none other than Tony Blair, in town to receive an award at SMU.

America’s Got Talent Taping Or: Being Held Hostage At The Majestic

I know, I know. I asked for this. I don’t know what I was thinking it would be like. But in no way, shape, or form, did I realize just how painful three hours of an America’s Got Talent taping would truly be. (And, the only reason it was three hours because we snuck out halfway through.) The tapings, going on yesterday and today, were open to the public, and Laura and I decided it would be a good idea to check it out. We arrived at the Majestic Theatre at 10 this morning, soggy and frustrated, but excited and enthusiastic. We left at 1, hungry and frustrated, sad and embarrassed. For those who care (I repeat: for those who care), a not-so-”newsworthy” rundown of the experience after the jump. (more…)

Where The D Girls Were Last Night

As Laura mentioned Monday in her preview of High School Reunion, we attended the show’s premiere last night at Studio Movie Grill in Addison. We were told there would be “heavy hors d’oeuvres” and drink tickets, and if you know anything about us, you know that’s enough to entice us. Heck, we’d drive all the way out to Rockwall for free food and drink. Plus, the promise of watching bad (great) reality TV—with the “stars” of the show RIGHT THERE WITH US—was more than we could resist. So Laura, Sarah, Elizabeth “Spider Monkey” Lavin, and I headed north. If you care to know more about the party (and maybe even a spoiler or two), let’s jump. (more…)

In the Meantime, Let’s Talk Lost

While you’re waiting for more Sandra Crenshaw commentary, peruse this interview with Dallas’ own Elizabeth Mitchell about tonight’s episode of Lost — which centers on her not-evil (for now) character, Juliet — and this season of the show (the best so far, in my estimation). If you’ve missed a few episodes, go here for recaps. (But not if you don’t like to laugh or read a little blue language.)

Baby Bean Sample Sale

Local mother and designer of Baby Bean Vintage Daywear, Christine Visneau has opened up a shop at Etsy.com (an online marketplace for buying & selling handmade merchandise) selling samples and various styles that didn’t end up in her collection at half the cost of retail. The site will be updated and items will be added on a regular basis.

Sandra Crenshaw: the Greatest Hits

In this thread, Crenshaw is now up to 3,085 words in the comments section. Again, Ms. Crenshaw, thank you for keeping it lively. But for those of you who don’t have time to read her full contribution — if you’re planning to do it this weekend, but you crave a little taste now — here’s a more easily digestible 672 words of highlights. Crenshaw on the Tuesday caucus and so much more:

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Snow

Snow is already falling in Lewisville. My mom sent this photo of their backyard about an hour ago.

Basquiat Painting Suffers Major Damage

MAASTRICHT, HOLLAND — This afternoon I was minding my own business, browsing past at least $1 billion worth of art, when I happened upon three gallery dealers in a tizzy. Seems I’d just missed a tragic accident by 30 seconds. According to the guy I overheard, probably talking to his insurance company, some dandy had just tripped and fallen shoulder first into Red Skull, a painting by wacko smack freak Jean-Michel Basquiat. (Great movie.) I found myself standing next to them as they picked up the huge painting and gazed down on the floor at scattered chips of paint. Nightmare. Minutes later, I met Robert Hall, a gregarious guy who deals Chinese snuff bottles. Hall is also the snuff bottle curator (my term, obviously I’m rusty on art terminology) at The Crow Collection of Asian Art in Big D. And he’ll be here (there) in a couple of weeks to call on the museum. Other news: the organizers are aware that the world is watching the business of TEFAF this year. The fair is the first test of demand from buyers and an indicator of concern about a shrinking economy. Last year they sold $500 million worth of art. Well, somebody may not write a check for $30 million this week for a Van Gogh painting, but the fine jewelry showcases were an absolute glittery perfume-scented mosh pit of Eurowealth. I still have white spots in my eyes from the dazzle of the ginormous diamonds. Mind boggling. I’m speechless. (I know, close to perfect.) Tra la.

Sandra Crenshaw Responds

The Morning News has a story this morning about what happened with Sandra Crenshaw Tuesday night. Man, it sounds like it was a wild scene. Meanwhile, Crenshaw herself has set a record for the longest comment in FrontBurner’s history. Check out her 2,370-word explanation of what happened here (scroll down — and then keep scrolling down). If you don’t have time to read the entire thing, here’s a highlight:

My lawyer is reviewing the description in the headlines here [ed: on FrontBurner] for a libel suit, and I suspect this was the job of a Sandra Crenshaw haters in Dallas. Now print that, D Magazine.

Update: … and Crenshaw continues to respond. Refresh this post frequently. It seems to have become the official Crenshaw discussion forum. Personal note to Ms. Crenshaw: thank you for keeping it lively. I’ve deleted several comments that were racist and didn’t add to the discussion. I’ll continue to moderate them.

Fox4 Gives Aguilar Her Walking Papers

Looks like Fox4 has given reporter Rebecca Aguilar the boot for doing what reporters are supposed to do: ask tough questions and nail the story everyone else in town is chasing, too. Ed Bark has a full account.

Leading Off (Sort Of)

1. I’m asking everyone here for a big favor. Don’t tell my wife more than 100 FAA badges are unaccounted for. She hates flying enough as is.

2. When you’re sheriff and you let inmates go home on their own on occasion, there is a chance voters might not reelect you.

3. Angela Hunt responded to my lengthy post about the city’s stalled development yesterday with a lengthy rebuttal (scroll down).

Greetings From Maastricht!

MAASTRICHT, HOLLAND — Ahoy, FrontBurnervians. I’m coming to you live from TEFAF, the world-renowned art and antiques fair held in Holland. I arrived here at the showcase early this morning before the doors opened for a VIP reception and had free reign of this huge exhibition/sale and watched the dealers as they set up. Miro, Henry Moore, Rembrandt are on the wall; Martha Stewart and Camilla Parker Bowles are in the Hall. I hear through the chardonnayvine that the Howard Rachofskys from Dallas are somewhere close by. I’ve just finished feasting my eyes on a $30 million Van Gough (The Child with an Orange) that has not been on the market for almost a century, a watch designed by Andy Warhol, and Vincent van Gogh sur son lit de mort, a rare etching made from the drawing of VG on his deathbed by Dr. Paul Fedinand Gachet. Spooky and intense, and a bargain at $25,000 euros. Or, as the dealer said to me, “the price of the greatest rarity.” Overheard before the doors opened: “I’ve been trying to work a million dollar deal with him and I can’t reach him on the phone” and “For the next two hours I am only interested in making money…the rest of the art world can f***k off.” But my favorite came from some dandy British collector in yellow silk pants, purple blazer, and neon green eyeglasses. He took a platter of Dover sole from a server, pushed a hair off his forehead and said, “Dear, how many Warhols do we have? Perhaps today we can pick up one or two more.” Hmm, they’re playing my tune. Gotta zoeken.