Articles for October, 2009
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.
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.
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.
Kidd Kraddick Destroys Me Real Hard
The folks at Avid Golfer did a mock golf tourney wherein I faced Kidd Kraddick in the first round. It did not go well for me.
Eric Celeste and Evan Grant Form Mutual Admiration Club
The salesman and the turncoat. 
Win Valuable Prize Package in FrontBurner Trivia Contest
If you’ve been playing along at home, you know that we’re moving to new downtown digs at the end of the week. We’re right now packing up our offices and throwing away — I mean, recycling — about 8 metric tons of old magazines and other publishing effluvia. We’ve also got some items that don’t need to make the move but which you might find useful and/or entertaining and/or desirable. So right about now, we will launch a trivia contest to win the items you see pictured here. The trivial questions all deal with FrontBurner milestones. The questions are after the jump. Here’s what you’ll win:
Talking Mark Cuban doll (ages 3 and up), Bell Sonecor microcassette recorder (including original microcassette recording of Mark Cuban’s infamous threat to slice the f—ing nuts off of yours truly), copy of the August 28, 2005, edition of the DMN (wherein the FBI investigation into the just-concluded City Hall corruption trial is first laid out in full), bottle of Isis-brand sweet white wine, canister of adhesive bandages that look like strips of bacon, 2 bars of Obama soap (made locally!), 3 hollow-point bullets (caliber undetermined), Parissa-brand body hair removal system, can of escargots, The Dallas Myth (the book by that Harvey J. Graf guy who hates Dallas), Crosshairs (novel by noted local author Harry Hunsicker), Home Plate (recipe book), Dallas Texas (photography book by local photographer and sometime D Magazine contributor Peter Calvin, signed), HKS press kit for Cowboys Stadium (including DVD), Reebok football, Inwood Theatre throw pillow, Saveastud.com mini flashlight (batteries included), desk lamp, Starck t-shirt (size medium, made by American Apparel), picture of Kyle Kearbey showing her love for Dr Pepper (signed), Piano Landscapes (compositions written and performed by Jon Dahlander, head DISD spokesman), and framed Best Blog 2003 award from Dallas Observer. Plus these bonus items, not pictured: a framed and signed handsome photo of Terrell Owens and a $100 gift certificate to Celebrity Cafe!
T. Boone Pickens Defends Truth of Swift Boaters
There have been plenty of stories about T. Boone Pickens’ plan for American energy independence. Today brings another.
What I hadn’t realized is that Pickens, even with his new Democratic friends, still defends the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth attacks on John Kerry in the 2004 presidential campaign:
In November 2007, Pickens had offered $1 million to anyone who could dispute claims in the Swift Boat ads that said Kerry had exaggerated his military service. Kerry accepted the challenge.
Pickens required Kerry to provide his Vietnam journal, his military records and the movies he shot on patrol. Kerry didn’t supply the items, a Pickens spokesman says. Kerry spokeswoman Whitney Smith says the senator offered to meet with Pickens but didn’t get a response.
Then, in 2008, a group of veterans took up the challenge. So far, Pickens says, the veterans haven’t disproved the claims in the ads and he has yet to concede the $1 million.
No one has disproved the claims?
Recession Bad For Pizza Hut, Good For Frozen Pies
Addison-based Pizza Hut has seen its sales drop 13 percent in the third quarter. If most their customers are receiving undercooked piles of dough like the Pizza Hut pie I ate a few weeks ago, I’m not surprised.
Apparently, more people really are choosing DiGiornio or buying a frozen Wal-Mart pizza and heating it up. I’d be interested to know whether Pizza Hut’s cheaper “Pizza Mia” option–a clear move to compete with concepts like Pizza Patron– is doing as poorly as the rest of their menu.
Anyway, sales are down, so let’s blame the advertising.
Darwin Deason’s $800 Million Payday
That’s how much he’ll make on his share of ACS in the sale to Xerox, according to this analysis at Muckety.com. The article also refers back to Tim’s 2003 piece on Deason (”Lifestyles of the Rich and Shameless“), which was memorable for many reasons, not the least of which was the fineness of its opening paragraph, which needs to be quoted in full:
Accounts differ as to what exactly happened aboard the Cartoush II during its pleasure cruise in the Bahamas in September 2001. Darwin Deason denies that he threatened to kill the chef. Others claim he did. “There certainly was a threat of getting a gun and doing something,” says one person intimately acquainted with the details of the incident. As for the chef, he isn’t saying much.
To think, just the other day someone wondered aloud to me why Dallas doesn’t breed characters like it did in the good ol’ days.
Home |
Masthead |
News from D |
About Us |
Contact Us |
Subscribe |
Advertise |
Privacy Policy |
Customer Service |
Awards | Archives | Reprints | d custom | Jobs | Advertiser's Index
Awards | Archives | Reprints | d custom | Jobs | Advertiser's Index