Articles for May, 2008
Ex-Dallas Anchor In The Soup In Alabama
Uncle Barky reports that Michael Scott–the ex-NBC5 anchor who was jumped on-air here by a lizard, creating a YouTube sensation–has lost his job as primary news anchor at a TV station in Huntsville, Ala. Seems that Scott, who’s black, referred to his producer, who’s also black, as a “negro” during a commercial break. When the producer objected, Scott called him the “n”-word, and wound up canned.
Leading Off
1. Anjali Datta will always be the valedictorian of Grapevine High School to me, no matter what district officials say. Fantastic work, Grapevine-Colleyville ISD. Punish the kid who finishes four years of course work in three. Who has what most believe is the highest GPA in school history. They should be planning a special ceremony for her at graduation, not saddling her with the cop-out tag of “valedictorian-three years.” Chin up, Anjali. I’m sure some smart university will make up for the one-year scholarship they just took from you.
2. Dallas Fed boss Richard Fisher said something vaguely ominous about inflation last night in a speech in San Francisco. I’m not positive what it means, but I have a feeling I should visit the nearest haberdasher as soon as possible. I might need something to hold onto.
3. Phyllis Dawn Harvey, aka the “Tattoo Bandit,” received 19 concurrent life sentences and will have to serve out the remaining 20 years of the 30-year bid she was on parole for during her 10-day, 19-robbery spree last summer. “I just had a bad two weeks, a bad couple of years, a bad life,” she said. “Ya know what I mean?” Man, do I ever, Phyllis. For the last 10 days, I’ve been suffering from a nasty case of poison ivy. Whew. Driving me crazy. You know, now that I’ve typed that out, it’s not really that similar.
Farmers Branch Continues to Strike Out
The DMN just posted this news alert:
A federal judge has found a Farmers Branch ordinance banning apartment rentals to most illegal immigrants to be unconstitutional. U.S. District Court Judge Sam Lindsay issued a permanent injunction blocking the city from implementing the measure, Ordinance 2903.
Samir Patel Is Still My Spelling Hero
A couple of astute FrontBurnervians sent along this ESPN profile of Samir Patel, the Colleyville kid who spelled words and broke hearts the past two years at the Scripps National Spelling Bee. Whose heart? Well, mine for one, which is why the FrontBurnervians are astute. They know what a big fan I have been — and continue to be — of Patel. The Bee just won’t be the same without him. (Also, hi Robert.)
Trouble at Channel 11?
KTVT’s 10 o’clock news was hilarious yesterday. Twelve minutes in, there were at least four mistakes. First up, footage of a convenience store murder from October 2008. (Maybe Channel 11 has a time machine?) Then a guy’s name was spelled “Brain” instead of “Brian.” A story on American Airlines and the pilot strike had a graphic showing that the pilots’ demands would cost the airline $750,000; the reporter said it was $750 million. And, last but not least, a “candeligjht vigil” was held for a local girl who passed away. I’ve never watched the news on KTVT before—is this a common thing? I’m not picking on the station: Just wanted to say thanks for making depressing news funny, Channel 11 copy gal/guy.
Speaking of Josh Hamilton
Holy cow. Did you know this guy used to do drugs? (Kidding aside, it’s a story for the ages, really.)
How Many Fans Will Show Up To Today’s Game?
Your Texas Rangers play the first-place Tampa Bay Rays today at 11:30 a.m. local. You’d think a day game in Florida, especially one involving an exciting young team (Rays) and an MVP candidate (Jason Botts Josh Hamilton) would draw a large crowd. But did you see the game last night? I think there were more people at the Best of Big D party last year. The box score says there were more than 10k, which, if you believe that, I’ve got a Fantroy confession I’d like you to hear. FB/TRangers fan Zach in New York puts the over/under on folks in seats at first pitch at 500. I’ve got the under.
A New Spokesman For Southwest Airlines?
You know how that guy Jared lost all of that weight eating Subway sandwiches and ended up being the spokesman for the chain? I wonder if fun-loving Southwest Airlines is considering Semaj Booker as the face of the new flier. He’s the cute, precocious 10-year-old who, twice now, has tried to make it from Seattle to Dallas on SWA without even buying a ticket. In January of last year, he made it all the way to San Antonio. This time, he didn’t leave Seattle-Tacoma Int’l. Though he did get past the metal detectors and security. LUV used to boast you could “fly for peanuts.” Now, as Semaj proves, you can fly for even less than that. Mull it over, Herb. (I know: He’s retired. But he could still pull some strings.)
Leading Off
1. The Cowboys and the Mavericks are teaming up to try to get the 2010 NBA All-Star Game, which would be played in the Arlington Death Star. Tune in to the Ticket at 8:40 this morning to hear Gordon Keith and George Dunham do the fake Jerry Jones and Mark Cuban having a business meeting to discuss the topic. [So what's that going to sound like? Do you have a joke here or what?]
2. “Dallas Area Residents Feel the Grip of Soaring Gas Prices.” Coming tomorrow in your paper: “Dallas Area Residents Cope With Gravity.” [Please have another shot at this. The gravity line doesn't work.]
3. UT Southwestern has landed a Harvard fellow by the name of Daniel K. Podolsky as its next president. By all accounts, he’s a great choice. I don’t have a joke for this one. It’s just a big deal for UTSW and the city. [Note: he's an expert in the human digestive system. Maybe make a fart joke?]
What Local Music Fans Might Want To Do Tonight
A friendly, record-producing FrontBurnervian passes along some news for fans of local music, specifically the band I Love Math:
We are having a listening party tonight at the Barley House to celebrate the release of I Love Math’s new disc, “Getting To The Point Is Beside It” today. It starts at 7:30 and the band will be there to sign cds, make small talk, etc. Hope you can come down (and of course feel free to blog about it).
Okay, I will. (Blog about it, that is.)
What You Should Do Tonight If You Don’t Have Plans
Come join me at the finals of the 24 Hour Video Race, held at the Angelika. The films, they’ve been shot. Tonight we’ll screen the finalists and pick the winners. Yrs trly will be serving as a celebrity judge, an insult to the other, much more celebrated judges (Bob Hudgins, director of the Texas Film Commission; David Leeson, Pulitzer-winning photographer for the DMN; talent maven Linda McAlister; and DaFoWo Show co-host Kristen Campbell). And remember: they serve alcohol at the Angelika.
Nick Badovinus Readies to Open His Own Restaurant
‘Member Nick Badovinus, the cool-dude chef behind Tristan Simon’s Consilient Restaurants’ curtain? Badovinus left the cozy confines his uber-cool CR gig last December with the wishes, hopes, and dreams of opening his own restaurants. He has big plans for his newly formed company, FlavorHook, but he is smartly starting out small. As we type, Badovinus is meeting with contractors at his first project, tentatively called Neighborhood Services, that will open in old Rouge spot on Lovers just west of Inwood in the early fall. He’s stripping the walls back to the original brick and polishing the concrete floor for his “friendly, urban-rustic North American with a mash up of classic neighborhood default” restaurant. Roughly translated: Rustic Urban Gastro Pub/New American Diner Mash Up. Confused? Think: flatbreads, salads, roasted meats, and here’s the best deal—every day he will whip up 24 roasted chicken dinners and from 5 to 6pm, he’ll offer curbside pickup of said dinners. Sides will change weekly. “I’m all about being user friendly,” said Badovinus. “I want to do a small-footprint, neighborhood-focused, boutique space that is product driven for customer experience. Less shine; more patina.” That’s what he’s talking about.
Oak Cliff, Get Your Development Pants On
An interested FrontBurnervian passes along this Globe St. “exclusive” from the other day about the $2 billion plan for Oak Cliff’s rebirth. The master plan is led by Dallas-based Incap, which has about 100 acres ready to go for mixed-use. And there’s lots more where that came from. Incap’s interest in Oak Cliff isn’t really “news,” but the sketches that go along with it are. Check ‘em out.
D Intern Leaves, Scores Byline
Caitlin Myers recently completed an internship here at D. Today she e-mailed me to let me know that she has a story on the front page of the Metro section. Are these events related? Probably not. Though it could have been her profile of another colorful local that got her foot in the door.
Lee Harvey’s Loses a Neighbor
A disc-spinning FBvian pointed me toward this condo that recently hit the market. Why does it look so familiar? Let’s see. “Entertainers [sic] paradise in historic Cedars neighborhood. Located across the street from Lee Harvey’s…” Oh! I know! It’s Chris Jones’ place. Yes, that Chris Jones.
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