Articles for June 27th, 2008
Re: AT&T Moving To Dallas
We already know AT&T’s been talking with the Dallas Cowboys about naming rights at the new stadium in Arlington. Might the company’s announced move to North Texas seal the deal?
Trey Garrison Proves Why the DMN Is Dead
This makes my head hurt. That’s how hard it is for me to understand. Moments ago, an FBvian sent me a link to Trey’s first op-ed piece for the Morning News. Trey is freelancing, but he’s still (I’m proud to say) a contributing editor to D Magazine. The tagline at the end of his DMN piece IDs him as such. I’m just now linking to his story because I didn’t know about it until the FBvian helped me out. Normally, I look at the hard copy version of the paper every morning, but today I was running late to work and missed it.
Do you see what I’m driving at? More than 6,000 people visit our blog every day. Not all of them are “engaged” enough to know who Trey Garrison is and to think to send me an e-mail about his op-ed piece in which he refers to himself as a “tool.” But still. The fact that my e-mail in-box didn’t have a dozen notes this morning from people making fun of Trey tells me — what does it tell me?
It tells me the Morning News is done.
Jerry World’s Mortgage Payment is Up…
Word from the city of Arlington is that the subprime mortgage mess has boosted the cost of loans again for the Cowboys stadium project. Where before, some loans carried 2% interest rates, rates have shot up the last couple of weeks to 6.5% to 7%. Last time this happened, it cost the city of Arlington $80,000 in a single month. Look for Arlington City Council to discuss a fixed-rate loan at its Tuesday meeting. There’s no saying (from the Cowboys) whether they’re taking a bath on this. Here’s a primer.
Oh well. By the time the joint opens, 80 grand might only buy you nachos and a plastic bottle of Miller Lite.
AT&T Moving to Dallas
Breaking news from the DMN. No details yet, just the headline: “AT&T Inc. is moving its headquarters to Dallas from San Antonio, the telecommunications company said Friday afternoon.”
Score!
KBH: You Like Her! You Really Like Her!
A new poll shows that Texans love them some Kay Bailey Hutchison, naming her their favorite politician. Which is sort of like me being named your favorite blogger, isn’t it? I mean, I’d rather be that than least-favorite, but the competition isn’t too stiff.
Listen, Buster, It’s Hard to Enjoy the Rangers When You Keep Reminding Me How Much Better They Could Be
Buster Olney asked major-league players, scouts, and executives who the five most dominating major league pitchers are in the game today. Who was No. 5? Why, the man recently traded from the Texas Rangers baseball concern:
No. 5: Edinson Volquez, Cincinnati Reds (eight votes) — He mixes a mid-90s fastball with a changeup that seems to disappear. He has 110 strikeouts in 99.1 innings this year, with a 2.08 ERA.
A. H. Belo Hits New Low
The new split-off newspaper company is having a very bad day. A Frontburnervian asks, “What’s happening?” The answer is, “What the hell do you think is happening?’
Dueling Pianos at Mavs Practice?
Is I noted in Leading Off, ESPN has video of Mavs draft choice Shan Foster at the keyboard, showing his chops. Eddie Sefko notes in the Morning News today that perhaps Foster could get some tips at tickling the ivories from new Mavs coach Rick Carlisle, himself an accomplished pianist. Which makes me wonder what special half-time entertainment could be extracted from this circumstance. Hmmm.
Re: Leading Off (Patrick Waller Exoneration Item)
Would you like to know how an innocent man like Patrick Waller gets thrown in prison? It has to do with how fallible we as humans are when it comes to picking suspects out of lineups. Read our April 2007 story “The Innocent Suspects,” by Paul Kix.
Speaking of Cool Cars
The Model A Ford Club of America is having its convention at the InterContinental in Addison. There are nearly 800 Model A Fords in and around the hotel. But they’ll be gone by tomorrow.
Obama CAN Win Texas, But Shouldn’t Try, Ashish Says
Says here that now that Obama is within 5 percentage points of McCain in Texas that folks not named Wick suggest he has a shot to win the state. But, commenter Ashish breaks down why that is fool’s gold. Reminds me of the great William Hurt line from The Big Chill:
“I COULD have. I CHOSE not to. I’m not hung up on this completion thing.”
How Do You Wash a $200,000 Car?
We’re working on our fabulous, action-packed annual August “Best of Big D” issue. In connection with that, one of our photographers, Kevin Marple, was out yesterday taking pictures of various “bests” when he spotted the scene you see here. He titled the pic “Best Place to Wash Your $200,000 Car.” If I’m not mistaken, that’s a Lamborghini Gallardo. The car wash in question is the one right next to the Loon. So here’s my question: is that the way you’re supposed to treat such a vehicle? I guess I figured you washed a car like that with something more special, like unicorn tears.
Texas GOP Congressman Finds New “Wedge Issue”
Lamar Smith has represented San Antonio in Congress for 21 years. Apparently in two decades the only thing he has learned is how to use meaningless, attention-grabbing gestures to win re-election. Yesterday Smith introduced a bill to amend the Constitution to impose the death penalty for child rape. Good work, Smith. Now, what about those deficits you’ve been running up?
SideDish Introduces a New Feature: Restaurant 101
I know you smart, sophisticated busy people over here on FrontBurner don’t have time to comment on the economics of the sun and Eric’s push ups and still make room for SideDish, but you may want to check out our new weekly post, Restaurant 101. Each week restaurant co-owner Amy Severson (Sevy’s) will write on the realities of operating a restaurant. She’s smart and she knows her stuff. She’s here on Thursdays. OK, thanks for “listening.” Go back to your business.
Kathlyn Gilliam: “Racist, Hateful And Dumb”
For a profile in courage, I give the nod to the Dallas School Board. Last night, it rebuffed protesters who want the administration building named in honor of long-time board member Kathleen Gilliam, agreed to “blow up” poorly performing Spruce High School, held the line on teacher’s salaries, and cut 50 administration jobs to meet budget requirements. All in all, a spectacular performance. However, it was the Kathlyn Gilliam vote — with the woman herself sitting in the audience — that warmed my heart. Here’s what we had to say about her in our 1996 Best and Worst:
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