Articles for September 14th, 2009
Meat Loaf Co-Star Patrick Swayze Dead at 57
In 1998, Patrick Swayze, who died today after a long battle with pancreatic cancer, made Black Dog, one of the few movies of his that I won’t watch on a Saturday afternoon on basic cable. But the trailer was one of my running jokes for years, because of its seemingly random assortment of names at the end: “Patrick Swayze … Randy Travis … Meat Loaf … Black Dog!” Since it features the pride of Thomas Jefferson High, here you go.
Cowboys, Not Rangers, Built Arlington’s Field of Dreams
The Ballpark in Arlington opened in 1994. Part of the sales pitch to voters funding its construction was the fantastic new developments that would spring up around it — restaurants, retail, hotels. We know how that story has turned out.
When the same voters approved $325 million for The Colossus at Arlington next door, a similar vision was presented. But, so far, nothing. Is Arlington Mayor Robert Cluck at all concerned that 15 years from now we’ll be talking about the development around Cowboys Stadium just as we talk about the Ballpark’s failed plans? Of course not, he told me this afternoon. Why not? “Because it’s the Cowboys.”
We (North Texas) don’t love the Texas Rangers the way we love the Cowboys. That’s an indisputable fact. (I say that as someone who much prefers the national pastime to “violence punctuated by committee meetings.”) But do we hold America’s Team in such high esteem that developers — and the retail, restaurants, and hotels they hope to accommodate –will rush to be associated with the big blue star in a way that they’ve never been compelled to join with the Rangers’ grand ambitions?
If the near-reverence in Cluck’s voice is any indication, the answer is yes. I’m hearing echoes of James Earl Jones: People will come, Jerry. People will most definitely come.
Arlington ISD Fifth Graders Not Going to Hear Bush Speak After All
Remember this? Bit of a ruckus over the fact that Arlington ISD chose not to show President Obama’s speech to schoolchildren, but approved a field trip to hear former President Bush talk at a Super Bowl-related event?
Anyway, turns out that’s not happening anymore. Says Superintendent Jerry McCullough:
“In retrospect, I can see how the district’s decisions concerning these two events could be seen as favoring one event over another.”
And that’s enough to earn Eric Celeste’s patented: “You think so, doctor?”
Everyone in Dallas Will Die From the Flu, Ctd.
Well, we have a diagnosis. The boy has the flu. Is it the dreaded and feared swine flu? As his pediatrician put it (shout out to Dr. Bergman!), the swine flu is the only flu in town. I’m headed off now to get Tamiflu for the whole family.
What does this mean to you, the dear, sweet, healthy FrontBurnervian? Remember that the swine flu is just the flu. It’s no more dangerous than regular flu flu. Thing is, no one has immunity to it, making it very contageous. Got that? Our pediatrician says the hard part of his job is deciding whom to treat with Tamiflu. Treat those who’ve been exposed to it now, and they’ll likely just be exposed again in a few weeks or a few months (he’s expecting a lot of people will get sick this year). And down the road, we’re almost certain to run out of the stuff. Right now, he says he’s only prescribing for family members of those who’ve got it. If your kid has a fever, get him to the doc pronto. Get it early, and Tamiflu lessens the severity of the flu. Wait a couple days, and it does nothing.
Finally, if you’ve French-kissed either me or my son recently, you’re probably going to die. Watch out.
Wade Phillips Needs Sunscreen
Here is what Wade Phillips (@sonofbum) tweeted after the game: “1st win was fun for our team but it was hot and I need mopre sunscreen.” Is it just me? That’s an interesting takeaway. Not “… but our run defense still needs to improve” or “… but football is a fickle mistress so everyone keep your fingers crossed.” Nope. He’s focused on dermatological safety.
Love that guy. He’s trying to out-dada Marty B (@Jupiters_Crunch).
Everyone in Dallas Will Die From the Flu
MEDICAL CITY, DALLAS — If the waiting room of my son’s pediatrician is any indication, this flu season is going to be triple awesome this year. The place is packed. Parents sitting on the floor. Coughing, phlegmy, pink-faced kids everywhere, wearing their pajamas, carrying blankets. Be afraid. Be very afraid.
Republic of Texas Football Rankings: Week 2
As long as Wick is blaming Rick Perry for license plate design, I guess he can heap my idea for a Republic of Texas football rankings on the Gov., too. So can you.
David Byrne on Dallas And Houston
The Talking Heads musician turns out to be a student of cities. In the Wall St. Journal Friday, he put together the aspects of city life that he finds beguiling. He also takes a few shots:
In Dallas livability might mean that you live near an expressway that isn’t jammed up, at least not all the time, and your car runs most days. For some it might mean super fast Wi-Fi, the possibility of lucky and lucrative business opportunities and plenty of strip clubs. If that’s what rocks your boat then try Houston, though to me that city, oil money made physically manifest, is my worst nightmare.
Saying something disparaging about Dallas is merely a sign that one doesn’t know it well. Saying something disparaging about Houston is a sign of a discriminating intelligence.
Dept. of Bad Taste: TxDot’s New License Plates
Until the new plates arrived in the mail for the lovely and talented Christine Allison’s new car, I didn’t know that Texas had decided to redesign them. Oh, I had noticed them on other cars here and there, but I thought that those were just car owners with bad taste. Unfortunately, the bad taste is meant to spread over the entire state. In changing the 
license plates from old-style printing to digital production, someone at TxDot decided to redesign the plates from scratch. Now, there’s nothing wrong with a good redesign. But my rule is, if you’re going to design something, it’s usually a good idea to hire a designer. It’s an even better idea to have people with good taste and design experience serve on the selection committee for the final choice. TxDot did neither. In fact, it ordered up several new versions (from employees, I take it, since nobody is credited) and put the options up for a vote on the internet. The result is one more argument against democracy.
The old license plates had the benefit of not being obtrusive. They also had a nice suggestion of irony, playing with the Texas myth while playing on it. But irony is a subtle instrument. In the linoleum halls of the world’s largest buyer of concrete, subtlety is probably not top of mind.
As for me, I’m going to blame it all on Rick Perry.
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