Articles for September, 2008
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.
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.”
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.”
Question of the Day: What’s the Significance of the Number 9532 to Robert Mullins?
Robert Mullins is the chairman and CEO of ROMCO Equipment Company. You want to rent a 41-ton articulated Volvo hauler? He’s the man to see. Or, say, an 84-inch double drum vibratory asphalt compactor? Again, Robert Mullins is your guy.
But here’s my question. Because I can’t help but wonder when I see a vanity plate: what’s the significance? In Robert Mullins’ case, his says 9532. Just those four digits.
First person with the correct answer in the comments section (and some sort of proof that it’s correct) wins a free year’s membership to Top Golf, with six free games.
The Economy Is Going Kaput: Let’s Have A Sale!
You’ve probably already heard that Dallas-based Neiman Marcus isn’t optimistic about what will come from the shaky economic climate. What better way to remedy slacking sales than to have a sale? Here’s the way the company put it (sans bold face) in yesterday’s filing to the Securities and Exchange Commission:
During an actual or perceived economic downturn (as a result of increases in consumer debt levels, increases in interest rates, a tightening of consumer credit, uncertainties regarding future economic performance and tax rates and policies), fewer customers may shop our stores and websites. As a result, we may be required to take significant additional markdowns and/or increase our marketing and promotional expenses in response to the lower levels of demand for luxury goods.
I’ve got dibs on this here poncho.
Chef Casey Thompson Will Increase the Synergy and Occupancy of San Francisco
She is taking her many talents and leaving Dallas next week to live in San Fran. Eric, this one is for you.
Steroids And The Cowboys: A New List To Chew On
The San Diego Union-Tribune recently published a story alleging that more than 185 players have used steroids while in the NFL. The following probably won’t be news to Cowboys trivia buffs. Regardless, here’s the ‘Boys-related meat that the writer, Brent Schrotenboer, gives us:
OL (Offensive Lineman) Louis Cheek (1990) - Suspended three games after positive steroid test.
DT (Defensive Tackle) Danny Noonan (1987) - Tested positive at combine before draft. Also said he used steroids during his NFL career, which lasted until 1992.
Strength coach Bob Ward (1983) – Said about 25 percent, “maybe more,” of the team used steroids, according to the Omaha World Herald.
DL (Defensive Lineman) John Dutton (1970s-1980s) – Said he liked to take them during preseason before they were banned, according to the World Herald.
Click on the following link and you can look up other teams as well. The San Diego paper brags that its compilation of steroid use is the largest-such effort since former Sen. George Mitchell released his list of Major League Baseball players linked to steroid use.
A Dallas Cowboy Woos The Cadillac Crowd
Martellus Bennett does a mean Stevie Wonder impression. The Dallas Cowboys tight end proved it last night when he swept into Crest Cadillac/Crest Infiniti in Plano, sat down at a player piano, threw his head back and started rocking from side to side. Bennett, who admits to having come across as “weird” on this season’s Hard Knocks HBO show, was there to sign photos for one of the dealership’s customer-appreciation events. Up close and personal, he’s as nice as anyone you’ve met–earnest, thoughtful, upbeat. He’s also a huge Crest fan, having just bought an Escalade ESV for his mom (”she wanted to feel safe”) and a regular Escalade for himself. If you can call a tricked-out SUV with 26-inch rims and a 37-inch flat-screen TV “regular.” After signing some, Bennett–shown in this Linda Fusco photo flanked by Crest GM Mike Brosin and his wife Jana–took the microphone and turned on the charm. “Anybody wants to buy a car, just come to me,” he mugged for the big crowd, nodding at the Crest salespeople. “I’m cheaper than anybody here!” And everybody cracked up.
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