The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, whose name would make George Orwell blush, voted 2-1 for the extension, turning down a plea for a public hearing. This is depressing but not unexpected news. (After all, the commissioners were appointed by Rick Perry.) In 2005, we published this investigation into the Midlothian cement plants. In 2007, we followed-up on Dallas’ worsening air quality. Last December, the Star-Telegram went through data compiled by USA Today and found Midlothian schools among the most dangerous to children’s health in the nation.
While the folks opposing a convention-center hotel have been burning up the local TV airwaves with spots for awhile, the other side’s been strangely silent. No longer. Here’s a sneak peak at a pro-hotel TV ad that’s scheduled to start running tomorrow. Its star is Mayor Tom.
With a little trepidation, I come to you with a proposition: Are you single? Are you attractive? Would you be so daring as to have your cellphone number published in an award-winning magazine? Then send me your particulars, along with a picture of yourself.
We’re working on an appreciation piece about our fair city (by which we really mean North Texas). One of the things we appreciate is the pulchritude of the singles who dwell therein. I am a man, and so my appreciation mostly applies to the female singles — but there are some hot dudes out there, too. So we thought we’d just go ahead and show people in the magazine what we appreciate: attractive single people. And, sure, we’ll provide phone numbers, too. (Full disclosure: we are brazenly ripping off this idea from New York magazine.)
It’s as simple as that. If you’re chosen, your photo (perhaps taken by our staff photographer, Spider Monkey herself) will run alongside those of, say, nine other attractive people. And their phone numbers. You’ll be presented to the world as one of the reasons we love Dallas.
Let’s do this.
I know, I know. You’re above that. So don’t click here to see pics taken at Aura last night.
When a teacher I know recently told me what it was like to substitute teach at Woodrow Wilson High, I was taken aback. Woodrow enjoys a reputation as a bright spot in DISD. That reputation didn’t jibe with the teacher’s experience. So I asked the teacher to describe in writing what happened. This is only one person’s take, but it would concern me if I had a kid at Woodrow.
Okay, I’ll post this real fast and then duck outta here. The strong winds this week blew in some great birds. In one hour this morning, I viewed 20 Robins, 30-ish Cedar Waxwings, 20-ish Ruby-Crowned Kinglets, a Yellow-Rumped Warbler, and an opossum (not a bird). So why is there a picture of a Red-Headed Woodpecker on this post? I’m glad you asked. Because I’ve decided to start DTwitcher on Twitter. See a bird, note the location, send a tweet. Makes sense to me. Come on!
1. Looks like Detroit (eh, Bloomfield Hills) is getting even with us for stealing Comerica Bank. Pulte Homes is buying Centex for $1.3 billion. Said Timothy Eller, Centex’s CEO, “By acting decisively now, we’re creating unrivaled firepower to capitalize on the opportunities in homebuilding that are now becoming visible on the horizon.” So if you plan to buy a new home, expect to get shot at.
2. Dave Levinthal reports that a quarter of the Dallas City Council candidates haven’t bothered to vote in recent elections. Lead-footed Brint Ryan has been just as remiss as gun-loving Chazz Redd. Tsk, tsk.
3. Did you know that Cowboys tight end Martellus Bennett has a blog over at the DMN? It started a week ago. Yesterday, he weighed in on whether women should fart, concluding: “I guess women have to let go at times too but it just doesn’t seem right, but if they do then it shouldn’t smell or make a sound.” I think we can all agree that Bennett is wise beyond his years and that his blog definitely belongs your RSS reader.