Articles for July 1st, 2009
Zac Crain’s Head Is So Big That It’s Bigger Than Brendan Higgins’
I am told that Crawdaddy! is a well-respected music site. Today they have reviewed Zac’s book, saying (and I quote):
Black Tooth Grin (named after Abbott’s trademark drink — a double shot of whiskey with a splash of Coke), is the long-awaited story of Dimebag Darrell, and a tour de force of American music journalism.
A tour de force. And not just of Dallas music journalism. But American music journalism. Zac is going to be impossible to be around for at least a month.
Chantix, Zyban Get Suicide Warnings From the FDA
Sadly, it took Carter Albrecht’s death to help make it happen.
European officials first alerted the F.D.A. in 2007 to problems associated with Chantix. In September of that year, Carter Albrecht, a keyboard player from the pop-music group Edie Brickell and the New Bohemians, was killed by a neighbor who complained that Mr. Albrecht was banging on his door, ranting. Mr. Albrecht’s girlfriend blamed Chantix, which she said had made him hostile.
The widely publicized event led to a cascade of similar reports and close scrutiny by F.D.A. safety officials, who have now received 98 reports of completed suicides and 188 reports of attempted suicides among those taking Chantix.
They found similar numbers with Zyban (which, I know from experience, seriously screws with your mind).
Unemployed? Theatre Three Is Offering 5-Cent Tickets to Woody Guthrie’s American Song
In an effort to help those who’ve lost their jobs due to a lousy economy, Theatre Three is offering nickel tickets to Woody Guthrie’s American Song, which is playing Thursday-Sunday until July 26. Here’s how it works. You call the box office at 214-871-3300, option 1, and mention the nickel ticket special. You provide the name of your last employer. Then bring proof of unemployment with you when you pick up your ticket before the show. Just because you’re out of work doesn’t mean you should sacrifice entertainment.
Stream Energy’s Rob Snyder Responds to Lawsuit
Stream Energy has been hit with a lawsuit alleging that the company is a pyramid scheme. The suit was filed by the bow tie-wearing Scott M. Clearman, out of Houston. You can read the press release after the jump. I wrote the first story about Stream, back in 2006, and I’m a friend of its founder, Rob Snyder. So you can’t trust my take on the suit. But here is Snyder’s:
The fact that the Texas Attorney General’s office has previously confirmed the legitimacy of Stream Energy’s network marketing effort speaks volumes to the veracity of Mr. Clearman’s assertions. Moreover, the further reality that Stream Energy serves as a Provider of Last Resort as requested by the Public Utilities Commission of Texas also attests as to Stream Energy’s standing and repute within the state’s deregulated retail electricity market.
Simply put, the direct selling models used by firms such as Mary Kay and Stream Energy have been repeatedly found to be unquestionably legal. And, unfortunately, it seems these days that any clown with a bow tie can file a lawsuit on behalf of a purported class of injured parties.
We look forward to seeing Mr. Clearman in court.
New Cowboys Stadium Logo Unveiled, Ctd.
Zac, a co-working, design-minded FBvian points out that a local firm, Rovillo + Reitmayer, designed the logo.
Is Joe Biden in Town?
An alert FBvian who works high atop the Cityplace tower says that a few minutes ago he saw what he believed was Air Force Two headed to Love Field. It was a 757 with the U.S. seal on it. Anyone have intel? Comments are open.
Is The TABC Out of Control?
The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission is a powerful agency in the state of Texas. They regulate the sales, taxation, importation, manufacturing, transporting, and advertising of alcoholic beverages.
Over the years, I’ve heard some horror stories from bar and restaurant owners. Yesterday, I ran an interview with Rainmaker Restaurant Group owner Michael Costa. He manages Las Colinas Prime and claims that the TABC harasses them to the point of scaring away customers. During a recent raid, Costa claims an agent pulled a gun on one of the cooks in the kitchen because he had a knife in his hands.
Early Sunday morning, officers with the TABC and Fort Worth police raided the Rainbow Lounge, a gay nightclub in Fort Worth. It’s sounds like it was a nasty scene. One patron ended up in the hospital with a brain injury. Last night witnesses to the ordeal met at Buzzbrews on Lemmon to share stories.
Yow. Zah. I’m having flashbacks to Lee Park in 1971. Where is Stoney Burns when we need him? (Much watch video.) Operators are standing by for your comments.
Allison V. Smith Gets NYT Mention
Sometime D Magazine contributor Allison V. Smith got a nice mention this morning on the Times‘ Lens blog. I’ll never forget the night we spent together in a motorhome at Texas Motor Speedway. (Don’t worry, Allison. I’ll never tell.)
New Cowboys Stadium Logo Unveiled
The Dallas Cowboys debuted the new stadium logo that I guess you’ll pretty much only see if you get press releases from the team, or are a regular on this site. You want a lot of bland quotes about it and another tiny version? Go here. Me? I prefer another logo I found. Might be a little busy though.
Leading Off (7/1/09)
1. The City Hall corruption trial marches on. Yesterday’s action took us back to Ferre, where the FBI’s informant wore a wire to lunch with one of the defendants. Will Il Mulino make an appearance? N9NE? Stay tuned.
2. I give you the quote. You tell me who said it. Here it is: “When I wake up in the morning, I still go throw, run and lift. That doesn’t change no matter what time of the year it us. You do it year round. This isn’t the time to take a break. It’s time to make a push.” Was it a) Zac Crain, b) City Manager Mary Suhm, or c) Tony Romo, trying to assure people that even though he’s playing golf today with Tiger Woods, he’s still keeping himself in shape?
3. Highland Park High will stop ranking all but the top 10 percent of its students. The worst student in the class of 2010 just said, “Sweet.”
Update: A co-working FrontBurnervian points out that our Park Cities People had item No. 3 a week ago.
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