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Cattle Baron’s 2009: The Motion Picture

Our SweetCharity blog and Mr. SweetCharity have been all over the mess that was last weekend’s Cattle Baron’s Ball. But we live in a visual culture. Who wants to read when you can just wait for the movie?

Well, People Newspapers has the video up today.

I don’t think you’d want to take off your shoes at Cattle Baron’s either. As Glenn noted, people didn’t.

Farewell to Al’s

Today is the last day in our old office, across the street from Al Biernat’s, one of our favorite eateries and drinkeries for the past decade or so. And it STILL will be a favorite, of course. But you know how it goes. You move. You promise to stay in touch. And then, well, things change. Life gets in the way.

So we are here, not saying goodbye, no. Saying until next time. (As for why Eric has sprouted wings, I can offer no explanation.)

Fr. Andrew O’Connor Brings His Clothing Line to Stanley Korshak

So a priest walks into a clothier … . Does that sound like the beginning of joke? Do we need a rabbi and a nun to flesh it out maybe? Anyway, you’re a fashionista, so surely you’ve heard of Goods of Conscience, the clothing line designed by a priest named Fr. Andrew O’Connor (who lived here for a time while studying at the University of Dallas, by the way). Well, Fr. O’Connor and his clothes are at Stanley Korshak right now. He’ll be there again tomorrow. God says you should drop in and check it out. (Renegade Bus offers more details on the man.)

Dallas Man Flies to Tokyo With Loaded Gun

An alert FBvian points us to the news that a guy in Dallas got on a plane at DFW and flew to Tokyo with a loaded gun. Apparently he forgot he had the gun on him. I know what everyone is thinking: Trey Garrison?

Sandra Crenshaw Gets Her Due in the Urban Dictionary

The term “cactus juice” figured in our contest yesterday. We have Sandra Crenshaw to thank for teaching it to us. And now, as an alert FBvian notes, the term has made it into the Urban Dictionary. I know I speak for Ms. Crenshaw when I say that the Texas two-step is a Western dance.

Big Thought Backers Revel in Beating New York

The rivalry between Dallas and New York–on and off the gridiron–was a theme this morning when local bigwigs like Mayor Tom Leppert, DISD Superintendant Michael Hinojosa and former Cowboys fullback Daryl “Moose” Johnston gathered to pump up the Big Thought group, which supports local education. A few years ago, the Dallas nonprofit snagged upwards of $8 million for its Thriving Minds program from The Wallace Foundation, beating out some New Yorkers for the dough. Now Wallace is pondering whether to give Big Thought, led by CEO Gigi Antoni, another $4.3 million. At a breakfast for nearly 100 people at the Crescent Club, Hinojosa told the crowd, “I don’t want to tell Jerry Jones what to do, but we want to beat the [New York] Giants, so he might want to hire Gigi as his general manager.” Johnston piled on a few minutes later. “I grew up in western New York and played for the Cowboys,” he said, smiling. “So anytime we can get one up on the Giants–or knock Manhattan down a few pegs–I’m all for it.” The foundation is scheduled to make its decision next week.

Want to be on the Field at Super Bowl XLV?

The NFL and Monster.com are sponsoring a contest in which they’re looking for a NFL Director of Fandemonium. Among the prizes for the winner is getting to “join the coin toss ceremony” at Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium, on Feb. 6, 2011.

The Backyard Flasher Strikes Again

Police have still been unable to nab a guy who hops fences in Lake Highlands, and then either dances naked in the backyard or swims naked, depending, I suppose, on the availability of a pool and his mood. After the jump, what police believe is a photo of the assailant.

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Christina Rees Wants More Art Criticism

The former owner of RoadAgent and current curator of  Fort Worth Contemporary Arts (and former D Magazine associate editor) presses the case that local media, including yours truly, should do more to cover the arts less promotionally and more critically.  Peter Simek at RenegadeBus seconds that motion and ups the ante (”D Magazine reeks of it,” says he, referring to a “quippy little piece that passed as arts criticism in FDLuxe“).

I am, of course, grateful for any advice I can get on how to run a media operation. As it happens, I agree with Christina. (As for Peter, I have no idea what he is talking about, except for affecting a general snobbishness toward the Great Unwashed — which I suppose includes the writers, editors, and readers of D Magazine — which role I thought Jeremy Weeks already performs admirably.) 

The problem they don’t address, and I am trying to address as I think this problem through, is how to pay critics to do the work we would all like to see them do. Advertisers aren’t interested in it; hence, the demise of art criticism in newpapers. Foundations are besieged by arts organizations for direct support; arts criticism doesn’t even make the list. So the quandry, which I am working on, is how to make Christina’s vision a reality. Meanwhile, I hope she keeps pressing the issue. Nothing good happens without a nag.

Samar by Stephan Pyles Opens Tonight

“In the restaurant reviewing system, poor dining offenses are considered especially heinous. In Dallas, Texas, the dedicated detectives who investigate these vicious felonies are members of an elite squad, known as the SideDish Victims Unit. These are their stories.”

Last night, Detective Andrew Chalk busted into a preview dinner at Samar by Stephan Pyles. He files this report.

We Have a Winner in the FrontBurner Trivia Contest

Three people came close to winning the booty. But there can be only one winner. Our judges have determined that Vic Dean has vanquished all contenders in the FrontBurner trivia contest. Dean missed two questions, but that was good enough to seal the victory. Congratulations, good sir. After the jump, the answers (and links) to the questions. My favorite has to be the audio of Eric snoring.

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Mark Cuban Fears FTC Reprimand Over IHOP Meal

I figured the Dallas Mavericks owner would have something to say about the Securities and Exchange Commission appealing its case against him. I didn’t expect to enjoy it so much:

Then horror of horrors, the manager comped my breakfast.

He couldn’t understand why I was visibly shaken.  I thanked him. Left a $20 tip (i wanted to be able say I left enough to more than pay for the meal).  Then I immediately called my law firm of Bakem, Shakem and Takem and had them assign their best attorneys to figure this out.

I don’t know what my disclosure requirements are going forward and whether or not I need to fill out any forms.

Can I tweet about IHOP again after Dec 1st ? Am I under some special reporting obligation ?

Leading Off (10/8/09)

1. The opening paragraph to this article about Texas health care being ranked 46th in the nation is a bit depressing.

Health care in Texas ranks among the worst in the nation, dragged down by large numbers of uninsured and by the nation’s most porous safety net, according to a scorecard and analysis released Thursday by the health care-oriented Commonwealth Fund.

On the bright side, a 46th ranking is better than its 48th ranking two years ago.

2. Speaking of rankings, Dallas is a top sports city (No. 9 to be precise), according to Sporting News Magazine. This really isn’t a big surprise to any of us. But it’s still nice to know. And here’s part of the reason it got that ranking.

“The North Texas area has it all: highly competitive teams in all four major sports leagues, and these teams play in arguably the top facilities in their leagues,” Dallas Stars president Jeff Cogen told Sporting News. “Add to those Texas Motor Speedway, FC Dallas, the Roughriders, Air Hogs, Fort Worth Cats, SMU, TCU and UNT, and you have quality sporting options across all areas of the Metroplex, across all sports and something for each pocketbook.”

And in the spirit of some OU-TX rivalry, I would ask you to kindly scroll down the list and notice where Norman and Austin rank. I know, I know. It doesn’t really matter. But it may be the only time I can gloat over UT this year.

3. It’s never too early to start thinking about what gifts you’ll be getting for those you love this holiday season (I like all things shiny). Toy manufacturers are definitely plotting their approach at this week’s Fall Toy Fair being held at the Dallas Market Center. It looks like all your kid’s favorite toys will likely be reduced. And, if you didn’t know, this year’s hot product is the Zhu Zhu Pets hamster toys. The hamsters are like the real thing—except they don’t require cleanup, and they drive cars.  All that said, I know where I’m doing my shopping this year.