Articles for March, 2009
The Best And The Sleaziest Used Car Dealers In Dallas
David Whitefield is a local personal trainer with a master’s in exercise and sports studies who describes himself as obsessive/compulsive. To buy a used truck, he visited 42 dealerships, looked at hundreds of trucks, and entered into a lot of old-fashioned used-car haggling. Fortunately for the rest of us, he kept notes. Here are his rankings.
Mixing It Up At AFI
No telling who you’ll bump into during opening-night festivities at the AFI Dallas International Film Festival. Jump for a recap of the glitterati who turned up last evening at NorthPark Center, none of whom were having more fun than the adorable unidentified metrosexual couple pictured here.
T. Boone Is #6 On List of 8 Worst Performing Hedge Managers
Alpha magazine says he lost $450 million in 2008. The full article, including the 25 highest-earning hedge fund managers, is here.
Leading Off (03/27/09)
1. Bills proposed by two Collin County lawmakers would increase the distance hunters have to keep from homes during hunting seasons. (It would be increased from 150 feet to 1000 feet.) Every year, as soon as dove season arrives, 911 is flooded with calls from scared homeowners hearing gun blasts, each of whom are told, “We’re sorry, we can’t control Trey.”
2. In hold-onto-your-effen-hat news, foreclosures are well attended, and DFW office leasing has declined for the first time in six years. What is doing well? Locally based video game stores. Duh.
3. The State Board of Education tentatively approved new curriculum standards that would allow teachers to stop teaching the “weaknesses” of scientific theories like evolution. It then approved a series of amendments that try to undermine the theory of natural selection and open the door for more teachings of creationism and intelligent design. What, no witchcraft?
Adrien Brody On A ‘Defining Moment’
Actor Adrien Brody, in town for a showing of his new flick The Brothers Bloom at the AFI Dallas International Film Festival, has accomplished a lot in his young career, including winning a Best Actor Oscar. But he may actually be best known for planting a big wet one on actress Halle Berry at the 2003 Academy Awards. Apparently it’s a legacy he can live with. “That was a pretty defining moment in my life,” Brody said, pausing on the red carpet tonight at NorthPark Center, cameras flashing all around him. “But,” he added, “you could be known for worse things.” And how was it bussing the beautiful Berry? “Pretty damned good!” Brody grinned. Then he turned and moved on down the line.
Calatrava to Schutze: “I Will Build My Bridge, and You Will Never Look This Good.”
There’s been a lot of talk recently about the Trinity. Wick and Councilwoman Angela Hunt have been going at this week on FrontBurner. Today Jim Schutze had something to say about it. Then George Rodrigue over at the DMN responded, calling the DO a “sexually oriented tabloid.”
Here, in this point, I’d just like to tell you that Santiago Calatrava, designer of the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge, made a surprise visit to Dallas last night. For all I know, he might still be here. (See you at AFI tonight, Santy?) And I would just like to point out that he looked sharp. And that the Trinity Trust will hold another fundraiser on the Continental Bridge, like the one they held in 2007. This one will be called “Launch the Steel,” and it’ll be on Friday, September 25. Full details after the jump.
Fake Cop on Lovers Lane?
Not to get all cop-crazy on FB today, but Merritt Patterson of Park Cities People has an interesting police drama of her own unfolding on the Overheard blog. Here’s how it started, and here’s where it’s going. That’s a lot of comments. (And Dan Koller wants you to get back to work.)
Spring Training Report: From Molly Erdman to Ray Washburne
SURPRISE, Ariz. — I dropped into the Rangers spring training facility to do a couple of interviews for SideDish and InsideCorner. Evan Grant, Eric Nadel, and I did lunch with Molly Erdman, the Sonic chick. (Evan has more details on InsideCorner.) I spent the better part of the afternoon with Molly, who is from Dallas, and we combed all of the backfields looking for her long-time favorite player, Steve Buechele, the former Rangers third baseman and current Rangers minor league manager. Found him. He hearts Sonic.
Plenty more after the jump.
Chief Kunkle to Speak About Officer Robert Powell at 2 PM
No one’s sure what the gist of his comments will be, but he will address Officer Powell’s behavior during the March 17 traffic stop in front of Baylor Regional Medical Center today at a 2 p.m. press conference. Doubt there will be a suspension announcement, but I’m sure you’ll hear about an investigation and a few words about the proper behavior in that situation.
UPDATE: Watch it here. Or here.
2ND UPDATE: Lost my video feed after a few minutes, but what I caught was: Powell is being placed on administrative leave and the Department will file administrative charges; Kunkle personally apologized to Ryan Moats and his family and complimented Moats and his wife on their patience in dealing with Powell; the Department only became aware of the incident on March 23, and Kunkle is trying to figure out why that happened. If you caught the rest, update us in the comments.
Local Band Teenage Cool Kids Gets Cease and Desist From Non-Local Band the Cool Kids
I’m not sure you care about that, but you might (and should) care about the for-now-named Teenage Cool Kids, because they are definitely worth your time. (H/T: We Shot JR.)
Salty Dogs And An Upbeat View At BofA Plaza
Outside it was pouring rain, but inside they were pouring Wendy Krispin’s Salty Dogs–and plenty of ‘em. So there were a lot of upbeat, happy people gathered last night on the 42nd floor of Bank of America Plaza to honor nearly 150 realty pros just named The Best Commercial Real Estate Brokers in Dallas by D CEO magazine. The upbeat part? There seemed to be a consensus in the room–it had killer views, by the way–that the local economy would start picking back up in the third quarter. Among those enjoying the hospitality of Transwestern’s Sarah Hinkley (pictured, with Phil Puckett of CB Richard Ellis) were Jim Yoder and Carl Ewert of Jones Lang LaSalle, Susan Arledge of Arledge Partners and Transwestern’s Robert Deptula.
Why Dr Pepper Is Awesome
Because of this.
Woodall Rodgers Park Gets Stimulated to the Tune of $16.7 Million
Funny. Eric and I were just looking at the cover of Columns, the AIA Dallas publication. The spring issue shows what the Woodall Rodgers deck park will look like. And now comes the below release stating the Woodall Park just learned it will get $16.7 million in federal stimulus funds. Good for them — and for us.
What Not to Wear Hits Local Gal at Jack’s Backyard
Last night, the TLC show What Not to Wear ambushed a Dallas girl (and sometime FrontBurner comment maker) named Amanda Warr (nee Newman) at Jack’s Backyard. Kevin Minihan, who plays in the band Eastwood, was in the house. He sends a dispatch (including photos!) after the jump.
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