I’m still trying to process what went down on last night’s episode. Despite the promises of the previews, it wasn’t the most dramatic episode ever. It was, however, the most R-rated language episode ever. Practically everyone swore last night–Angry Dave even got bleeped for something I still haven’t figured out during his one-on-one time with Jillian. For those who care, let’s jump and take it from the top.
Ian Dille reports on the massive project’s current state of play for the Texas Observer.
Most of the attentiona and ink by urbanists goes to yuppies and Baby Boomers, because young single professionals rent downtown apartments and empty-nesters buy them. But, Joel Kotkin argues, those two groups are minor: they only add the flavor to the stew. The real meat and potatoes is the new urban middle class, the people who build and remake the neighborhoods that make a city flourish.
Irving’s North Hills Prep is run by Uplift, which also operates Peak and Williams Prep. For more on how Rosemary Perlmeter and her outfit are revolutionizing public education (and yes, these charters are public schools, open to all), here’s our article from last year.
KERA has bought itself another frequency, 91.7 FM, on which it will play music. The full release is after the jump. If this means more Paul Slavens, then it’s a very good thing. Huzzah.
Ennis native Edward Whitacre Jr. has been tapped to lead the new General Motors. To which we say: Good luck, Ed! Now, how about moving the outfit to Dallas?
Norman Brinker’s legacy as an entrepreneur, sportsman and philanthropist is unmatched. But it didn’t happen by chance. In this article for D CEO–scroll to the bottom–Dave Moore recalled that Brinker never stopped learning.
I am no fan of Arthur Laffer (creator of the infamous “Laffer Curve“) but this piece in the Wall St. Journal has the data to back up his assertion that soaking the rich is a disasterous policy option for state governments. To wit:
Examining IRS tax return data by state, E.J. McMahon, a fiscal expert at the Manhattan Institute, measured the impact of large income-tax rate increases on the rich ($200,000 income or more) in Connecticut, which raised its tax rate in 2003 to 5% from 4.5%; in New Jersey, which raised its rate in 2004 to 8.97% from 6.35%; and in New York, which raised its tax rate in 2003 to 7.7% from 6.85%. Over the period 2002-2005, in each of these states the “soak the rich” tax hike was followed by a significant reduction in the number of rich people paying taxes in these states relative to the national average. Amazingly, these three states ranked 46th, 49th and 50th among all states in the percentage increase in wealthy tax filers in the years after they tried to soak the rich.
Of course, the recession has now hit Texas, and 2009 will not be a wonderful year. But this statistic from the article still boggles the mind:
Texas created more new jobs in 2008 than all other 49 states combined.
Courtesy of Mark Cuban’s Twitter feed comes news of the American Airlines Center getting an A/V makeover this summer, resulting in the first and only HD video scoreboards in the NBA or NHL. Rather than clumsily reword it, here are the relevant deets:
During the Summer months of 2009, American Airlines Center is tripling the size of its scoreboards with new video boards capable of showing the live action in stunning high-definition. A total of six video scoreboards will be installed offering a mammoth 5,616 square feet of digital HD 1080 sights. Four 18’ X 30’ video scoreboards will be installed in the arena’s center display and two 24’ X 72’ video walls will be located in the North and South ends of the arena.
The AAC is also getting a fancy new speaker system. And contrary to what the headline says, this upgrade is happening because of the 2010 All-Star Weekend festivities. As far as you know.
Yes, beautiful means many things to many people. It could be hot chicks in bikinis, freshly spray tanned and hanging out at NYLO. Or it could be your charitable neighbor who single-handedly raised $100,000 for charity and takes in foster children. We’d like to think the 10 Most Beautiful Women in Dallas are somewhere in the middle. Call it cliched, but we believe beauty is more than skin deep. So if you know someone who deserves this title, nominate her today. Here are the rules:
Contestants must be 21 years of age or older and must be residents of the greater Dallas/Fort Worth area. We are looking for candidates who exemplify values and integrity in line with the D Magazine reader. What does that mean? It means that special consideration will be given to candidates who give back to the community through regular charitable donations or community activism. This contest is not based solely on physical appearance. Let’s be honest: if you’ve got shark teeth and scars where they removed your vestigial gills, you probably won’t win our contest even if you’ve selflessly dedicated your entire life to working with wayward puppy dogs. All finalists must have compassion, charisma, intelligence, and respect for fellow man—in other words, inner beauty. And, of course, smoking-hot looks. That, too. The editors reserve the right to disqualify any candidates for unsavory behavior (vapid, vain, immoral, loose, unethical, etc.). Finalists will be chosen and contacted by the D editors. Online voting begins on August 3, 2009 at 9 am CST.
(During the next couple of days I’ll be posting items that caught my attention on the few days I had internet access. ) P.F. Chang’s has five locations in the Dallas area. Other chain restaurants have watched their business nosedive during the recession, but not Chang’s. The difference lies not in some grand strategy shift but in small, incremental improvements in efficiency, a process it learned by studying Japanese car manufacturers. Key paragraph:
…by focusing on process improvement rather than helter-skelter growth, it seems to be doing so again. Continuous improvement, the philosophy pioneered by Japanese companies such as Toyota in which managers and workers relentlessly seek out small modifications that add up to big profits, seems to be the recipe for success in 2009.
Let me be the first to extend a warm welcome to you, Wick. I’m so pleased that you’ve returned from your fishing trip Back East. Some things have changed here during your long absence. To get you back up to speed:
We no longer allow comments on FrontBurner. Mostly. The website was redesigned. Again. Paul Kix no longer works here. Nor does Brian Sweany. Adam McGill, Rod Davis, Jim Atkinson — they all left for one reason or the other while you were gone. The new Cowboys Stadium opened. The sound system is horrible. Jerry Jones now owns the team. He fired Tom Landry as the head coach. He’s dead. Crazy Ray also died. We voted to build the convention center hotel. The High Five was completed. Central Expressway was widened. Laura Miller is now a lobbyist for the coal industry. Al Lipscomb was convicted. We no longer elect city council members at large. Kennedy was assassinated. Also, a giant meteor crashed into the earth, causing a chain of events that eventually wiped out the dinosaurs. Finally, while you were away, Al Biernat launched a new light fare summer menu.
Again, welcome. We’re glad you’re back.
The TAG and Science/Engineering Magnets did it again, coming in #1 and #2, respectively, in the newsmagazine’s annual rankings, repeating their performance from 2007. But the real news in the ranking is Irving charter school North Hills Prep coming in at #9, which, considering its student body demographic, is an astonishing performance. (By comparison, Highland Park ranks at #23.)
1. Norman Brinker died this morning while on vacation in Colorado Springs. He turned $10,000 and a small bank loan into a casual dining behemoth (Chili’s, On the Border, Maggiano’s), which is more than most people ever accomplish in their lives.
2. Cristal Taylor’s trial has been delayed, apparently. I think I speak for everyone when I say, thank God this is dragging out.
3. If you missed the Cindy Sheehan-led protest near the Bushes’ home yesterday, here’s a recap. And I’m sure there will be another one. Sorry, Feherty.