D

Re: Business Honchos Gather to Salute Sewell

I can share some more tidbits from today’s luncheon. For instance, if you’re wondering what bold-face biz names were there, I’ll tell you:

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Signs Of The Times?

This corner of Greenville Avenue and Milton Street, which once boasted The Fare strip club, is now home to a brand-spanking new branch of … Washington Mutual! Er, wait a sec; WaMu was seized by the feds last week–the biggest bank failure in U.S. history–and then taken over by JPMorgan Chase. One possible reason: WaMu specialized in something called “option adjustable-rate mortgages,” which let borrowers hold off making payments on a loan’s interest and principle principal. That’s a pawn shop behind the new bank, by the way. Insert your joke here.

Business Honchos Gather to Salute Sewell, Stock Ticker

While legendary Dallas car dealer Carl Sewell accepted an award from the Texas Association of Business today, many in the crowd periodically glanced westward. There, on the wall, was a stock ticker that showed many companies rebounding from yesterday’s bloodletting. Despite the distraction, Sewell managed to confess that he’d been kicked out of class at St. Mark’s School of Texas 43 times in a single semester. And now, look at him, in front of a room full of high rollers, with a large crystal globe. I guess there’s hope for Eric Celeste after all.

Attention Certified Financial Planners: Vote Today on Which of Your Peers Is the Best

I’m sure all you CFPs have a lot on your plates right now, what with trying to survive the apocalypse. But in the January issue of D Magazine, we will once again name the Best Financial Planners in Dallas — and we need your help to do it. Either go to the homepage, and click the “Attention Certified Financial Planners” button in the left navigation bar, or go directly to the survey, here.

Thanks for your help. And hang in there.

Jonas Brothers at The Joule

I did not attend The Joule grand opening bash, however, Crimson in the City boutique owner, Stefani Shultz forwarded this photo (along with the note below) to me of her daughter and friends with Nick and Kevin Jonas outside the festivities.

My daughter and friends were photographed with Nick and Kevin across from my store, Crimson in the City, as they were leaving the party. They politely approached the girls who are huge fans and went out of their way to meet them and pose for photos. They are undoubtedly the most genuine a celebrity could ever be. I praise their parents for the mannerisms they have instilled in these gentlemen.

CD World Closed

Adam already posted this link in the comments of Leading Off this morning, but a “devastated” FBvian wanted my take on the demise of CD World (both the Greenville and Addison locations). There’s not much I can add that owner Mike Schoeder didn’t cover if you click on through. But I do have some thoughts.

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Another Take on The Joule Opening

D Home’s Candy Evans was luckier than me (must be the lack of extra E in her last name). She saw Martin Scorsese on Friday night at The Joule bash. She saw a lot of other folks, too. Click here to read her report.

Advice For Pelosi: Call Angel On Industrial

I really don’t see what all the fuss is about this bailout business. It’s well-known that the bail-bond guys down near Lew Sterrett can get anybody out of trouble. A lot of ‘em take credit cards, too.

Meridian Room Gone

Teresa Gubbins reports The Meridian Room, one of my three favorite bars in Dallas, is closed for business. DART Rail construction is the culprit; I feel like the victim.

Richardson Bicyclist Killed

Sometime D contributor Amanda Tackett sent me this note last night:

I got up this morning and read David Feherty’s story in the current issue about getting run down on his bike. Dropped of my kiddos at school, and set off to do some errands. Coming back on Arapaho at Greenville, total chaos. A crumpled bike, white truck, and myriad police surrounded a white sheet on the median. A pair of Addidas poked out, toe down, blood seeping through. From the DMN story, the guy died. I’ve had the creeps all day. Very compelling story.

If things work out, Feherty will be on KERA’s Think on Thursday talking about the story he wrote for us and the need to take measures to make cycling safer on the streets of North Texas.

Leading Off (9/30/08)

1. DISD trustee Carla Ranger says that the fact she heard from a reporter (and not superintendent Hinojosa) about 63 district employees who were pink-slipped is a “tragic situation.” I think she needs to call those folks who were let go and discuss what is and what is not “tragic.” Getting laid off, tragic. Non-preferred line of communication, irksome. Here to help, Carla.

2. The Dallas Police Department released a video of an officer who fatally shot a hit-and-run suspect who punched the officer while the officer had his gun drawn. Some have criticized the officer and the DPD for the officer’s actions. With all due respect to the victim’s family, when you run from the cops, and then you punch the cops, you will get shot. I think we all know that. And, frankly, I’m comfortable with that.

3. I love folks freaking out that T.O. was upset after the loss to the Redskins. Two things about that: one, this story seems to make a big deal out of his having a private conversation with Tony Romo about the offense, like, maybe, he’s supposed to have those conversations with Bradie James, I guess; and two, he wasn’t as upset as I was–you wanna hear some sweet new made up curse words, you shoulda been at Tim Rogers’ house Sunday evening.

Local Media Acting as Josh Howard’s Finishing School Teachers?

Mike Fisher over on Dallas Basketball is reporting something that I find curious. It’s about Josh Howard, who today apologized for his many screw-ups, including, most recently, saying that he doesn’t cotton to The Star-Spangled Banner because he’s black. Here’s the part of Fish’s report that caught my eye:

Additionally, I have it on good authority that the Mavs PR-coaching efforts here not only included staff higher-ups (including Cuban, Donnie and Carlisle) but also some members of the media, who were asked by the club to hint at the sort of questions their erstwhile All-Star might face.

I read that right? Media types coached Josh Howard in preparation for his news conference today? If any of those media types were people who cover the team, they should be fired immediately. And, Fish, if you know their names, you should publish them. Because that just ain’t right.

On the other hand, if Cuban is hiring media coaches for the team, Eric is available.

Late Monday Afternoon Distraction

To keep your mind off the economy, DISD, and Sarah’s failure to get some face time with Marty Scorsese: on Saturday night, my wife and child slept over at my mother-in-law’s house, giving me a rare bit of freedom. I had the basic framework of a plan (get drunk and make some bad decisions) and a wide-open schedule. Anything and everything was possible. Instead, I stretched out for a moment to watch some pre-revelry TV–and ended up falling asleep at 10:30. And that was that.

Question: giant failure or biggest failure ever?

DISD Layoffs Begin

And … that happened.

Hope Someone at These Local-Based Companies Was in Charge of Holding Onto Hats

Here’s the bad news from the Dallas Business Journal following the market folding like a pair of pants today. The good news in the Crain household: we have no stock in any of those companies. The not-as-good news: we don’t have any stock because we don’t have any money. The maybe-not-relevant-but-not-necessarily-irrelevant news: I’m just as hilarious and handsome as I was yesterday, which is to say, extremely and very. Let that be the rock you cling to in these choppy economic seas.

Grand Opening of the Joule Hotel: AKA Chasing Martin Scorsese

This is legendary director Martin Scorsese. He was in town this weekend to host the grand opening of The Joule, a hip new hotel downtown. Along with Scorsese, N’Syncer Joey Fatone, Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, and the Jonas Brothers (eeeeee!!) were all at the party. Tim told me if I got a picture with Scorsese, he would buy me drinks at Al’s. So, that should have been incentive. Was it? Yes. Did I see any of them? Um, no. But the party still rocked anyway. Jump for details.

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I Would Like To Officially Offer My Legal Services to the City of Farmers Branch

Since I said months ago the illegal immigrant rental ban would never pass legal muster. Looks like Tim O’Hare and company finally agree.

Public Art Is More Of The Former, Not Much Of The Latter

(I’ve been meaning to post something about this for more than a year. I can remain silent no longer.)

I don’t want to hurt the feelers of the artist who drew up the public art on display on downtown highway pillars ‘neath Woodall Rodgers (at Maple-Routh Conn.) and ‘neath I-45 (at Main St.). But I can’t imagine he or she looks at the project and says, “Yep. That’s some of my finest work.”

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Why is the City of Dallas Broadcasting Fire And Brimstone?

Tuned into WRR-101.1 yesterday morning and heard a fiery sermon on city-owned airwaves. I’m not saying whether I agree with the content of what was said, but I think it’s interesting that the City of Dallas’ normally classical music station also transmits Christian programming. This definitely opens questions regarding the separation of Church and State. Does that mean WRR is open to broadcasting all types of religious content? If so, I’d love to hear what the druids have lined up for us…

Kelan Luker Back to Being Below Average On a Football Field Rather Than a Stage

Remember Kelan Luker? He was the SMU QB who quit the team to play bass for Submursed, a band that sounded so much like Creed that Creed’s drummer ended up playing with them. Anyway, in case you missed it, he’s back playing football, this time as a 27-year-old backup for Tarleton State. Personally, I would have preferred it if Luker had decided to be not great in another arena where everyone else is not great, keeping his streak alive. For instance, he could always drive a DART bus.

‘Best Ideas’ Guru And A $12 Billion Shortfall

Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott says the Teacher Retirement System of Texas is running a deficit–$12.5 billion as of July. Yet the fund’s chief investment officer, Britt Harris, is scheduled to be one of the investment pooh-bahs speaking next week at a Dallas symposium organized by Shad Rowe and John Neill. Ticket price: $1,000 per head (though most of that is tax-deductible, since the Great Investors’ Best Ideas Foundation Investment Symposium benefits two charities). What makes the Oct. 7 deal even curiouser is the fact that organizer Rowe was given the boot as chairman of the Texas Pension Review Board by Gov. Rick Perry. Rowe–who nonetheless remains a member of the board–had been warning that many of the state’s pension funds are unhealthy. And, because all the alleged unhealthiness occurred before the current financial crisis, things could be even worse today.

Mrs. Mike Snyder’s Near-Death Experience

An alert FBvian points us to this post on Mike Snyder’s blog. If you’ve been wondering why the NBC 5 anchor hasn’t been on the air, now you know. Scary stuff.

Leading Off (9/29/08)

1. Several firsts yesterday: the Cowboys lost for the first time, T.O. threw his first mini-fit over his role in the offense, Felix Jones didn’t score for the first time in his pro career, and Jerry Jones was fined ($25K for criticizing ref Ed Hochuli) for the first time in his tenure as owner. There was also one 204th (Wade Phillips looking vaguely confused), a 501st (Tony Romo asking a ref to throw a pass interference flag after a missed throw), and a 32,542nd (Joe Buck sucking all enjoyment out of the broadcast).

2. The TRE is adding several new routes, including a late-night 11:45 p.m.-12:15 a.m. trip from Union Station to CentrePort. Or, as they’ve been calling it around the office, the Hey I Don’t Want Any Trouble Just Take My Wallet and Don’t Hurt Me I Have Kids Express.

3. And finally, KXAS/Channel 5 turns 60 years old. We now go back to Jane McGarry in the studio. Jane? “Tonight at 10, why a seemingly normal anniversary MIGHT KILL YOU.”

Friday Afternoon Random Question: What Would Your Entrance Music Be?

You know, like on WWE broadcasts, when a song comes on suddenly, and announcer Jim Ross sputters, “Oh my God! That’s Triple H’s music!” That kind of entrance music. Or your superhero theme music, if you prefer, and you might if you’re a fan of I’m Gonna Git You Sucka. Tim’s would be “Sabotage” by the Beastie Boys. Eric’s still trying to decide which .38 Special/Wham!/Def Leppard song fits the bill. Me? Not sure. Right now, it’s a three-way tie between Jay-Z’s “Dirt Off Your Shoulder” and “99 Problems” and Public Enemy’s “Bring the Noize.” Though when I make my heel turn, I would probably switch to Pantera’s “Mouth For War.” Comments are ready for yours.

UPDATE: Eric just said today he’d have to go with OK GO’s “You’re So Damn Hot.”

McTeer: Rescue Plan Could ‘Save The Economy’

Bob McTeer, former president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, sums up the current financial crisis with the titles of two songs and a haiku. One of the songs is by Buddy Holly: “Crying, Waiting, Hoping.” The other’s a C&W ditty: “I Can’t Kiss You Goodbye, Darling, Cuz You Won’t Go Away.” The haiku: “If good loans don’t earn enough to suit us, maybe bad loans will.” Speaking at a Dallas conference this morning, the famous free marketeer then turned more serious and told why the Bush administration’s $700 billion bank-bailout plan is “absolutely necessary to prevent a financial meltdown.”

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