Articles for November, 2009
Pssst. DFW A Contender for ‘Project RG’
The city of Allen is in the running to land a bioscience or pharmaceutical facility that would employ 1,000. That’s according to Robert Winningham, executive director/CEO of the Allen Economic Development Corp., who says Raleigh-Durham, N.C., and Atlanta are also contenders for the facility. Winningham adds that he’s taking off tomorrow for the West Coast where he’ll meet with honchos at Deloitte, which is managing the mysteriously code-named “Project RG.” A decision on Project RG–which Winningham says would be an expansion, not a headquarters relocation–is expected by this time next year.
Craig Watkins Appears on The Colbert Report on Wednesday
Just this second, we received word that Dallas County district attorney Craig Watkins will tape an appearance on The Colbert Report on Wednesday. It should air later that night. Wonder if it’s too late to convince him to bring a copy of this with him?
Dallas “Most Churched-up City in America”
But a large group of pastors doesn’t think that necessarily means much about its devotion to the Gospel.
What is the Ugliest Building in Dallas?
Morning News columnist Jackie Floyd takes on the issue here. She calls for the Frank Crowley Courts Building, the Kennedy Memorial, El Centro, city hall, and the downtown public library to join Reunion Arena on the scrap pile. (If I had to guess, I’d say Steve Blow’s take would be “who cares about aesthetics?” and James Ragland would tell the story of some building no one remembers that shouldn’t have been torn down but was anyway. But I digress.) Anyway — if you could tear down one building in the downtown area, what would it be? Use Floyd’s suggestions, or come up with your own. Me? I’d vote for city hall. At the very least, I’m in favor of chopping up the giant expanse of concrete surrounding it. I’d actually vote for every parking lot, but I guess that runs contrary to the spirit.
Rod Dreher Quits Dallas News
He is moving to Pennsylvania to work with the John Templeton Foundation. Dreher is one of the most interesting editorialists around, in that he comes at problems from a conservative philosophical and Christian orthodox worldview but refrains from blind ideology and partisanship. I’m sorry to see him surrendering the very valuable role he’s played in this city and in the national political debate, but glad that he will be digging into the deeper issues of our time. Nobody can claim he doesn’t live what he preaches, chicken coops and all:
By the way, anybody want to buy a great Arts & Crafts bungalow in historic Old East Dallas, with a fenced back yard, a big chicken run and coop, a small greenhouse and shed, and raised organic gardening beds. And a rainwater collection system? And a brand-new fireplace with a generous hearth? Because I’ll make you a deal.
Call quick. When the entire nation turns to CrunchyCon-ism, it may become a National Landmark.
Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood Wants to Raise the Gas Tax, Too
Ed Wallace wants one. So does John Carona. And Wick. Add Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood to that mix. Said LaHood at the North Texas Transportation Summit at the Texas Motor Speedway:
“The problem we have is, Congress wants to pass a very robust transportation bill in the neighborhood of $400 million or $500 million, and we know the highway trust fund is just deficient in its ability to fund those kinds of projects.”
Russell Johnson Sought Meyerson Burial
Several weeks ago someone who has been a big shot in Dallas long enough to know where all the bodies are buried told me that it’s not generally known that the remains of Russell Johnson – the acoustician responsible for the Eugene McDermott Concert Hall – are interred in the Meyerson Symphony Center.
This source refused to let me attribute the information to him, but indicated that he was convinced of its veracity. Smelling the possibility of hidden, arcane burial rites carried out on Flora Street by a secret society of city elders (and the chance for me to parlay the story into a Dan Brown-esque bestseller and blockbuster film), I decided to investigate further.
To peek inside the mind of Russell Johnson, and hear more about his final resting place, take the jump. (more…)
Matthew Stafford Vs. The Browns
The dramatic comeback win is here, with the Highland Park QB’s open mike recorded. If you didn’t see the game, take 6 minutes to watch the entire clip. As the coach says
He made a good play to end the game, but perhaps his best play was eluding four team doctors on the sideline.
The Future of the Museum of Nature & Science
The bulk of the Museum of Nature & Science is moving to new digs in the next few years. The party line is the museum is not abandoning the Fair Park area, and will maintain a presence there. Maybe, maybe not. After visiting this weekend, I have an idea: based on the piece below (already installed!), give up the nature and science part, and become an art museum.
If you have other ideas, I just opened the comments. You’re welcome.
I call it "Faceless Nightmare Man Abducts Robot Boy on Casual Friday."
Should You Walk Out on Your Mortgage?
Dallas foreclosures are up 30% from a year ago, breaking the record for the region. Homeowners trying to renegotiate their mortgages to get a lower monthly payment will likely encounter a puzzle: the mortgage company has no interest in making a deal. Why? Because the company that services the mortgage doesn’t own it and actually makes more money if the homeowner is delinquent. The system is rigged, says one law professor, and that leaves the homeowner with only one option: walk away.
Leading Off (11/30/09)
1. Baby, it’s cold outside. Or rather it will be. Well, it will be cold-ish anyway. And it’s about time. There’s something unsettling about wearing shorts while gorging on turkey and stuffing.
2. I’m guessing that working in the Dallas Sheriff’s Department doesn’t pay well. How else to explain the spate of deputies who have been disciplined for having inappropriate side jobs? Take the 15 deputies who moonlighted at fun-time establishments Club Onyx and The Gentleman’s Club. That did not go over well. And then there’s Deputy Myron Brown who worked for a debt-collection agency in his spare time. The problem? He didn’t receive permission to work there. He’s also been accused of using the perks of his real job to get inside a guy’s house and repossess some furniture.
3. The Winspear Opera House was the site of angry riots over the weekend. Okay, not really. But there were some guys carrying signs with ominous slogans such as “Tape is tacky” and “Full price tickets; half a show” The beef? Musicians are ticked that the Texas Ballet Theater’s performance of The Nutcracker doesn’t include an orchestra.
Merry Thanksgiving
Eat well, love your family, and enjoy the day off. (Unless you’re Eric Celeste. In which case: remember to tip your server, Candi.)
Jack Myers, R.I.P.
A number of years ago, I was thinking about going back to school to get an MFA in creative writing. Somehow, I ended up on the phone with Jack Myers, a professor in the English department at SMU. He invited me to lunch to talk about it. We went to St. Pete’s Dancing Marlin and had way too many beers. I only knew him for a short time but I knew he was a great guy, and someone I would be lucky to have as a teacher. But life got in the way, and my plans were forcibly scrapped.
I’ll never get the chance, because Jack passed away peacefully in his sleep on Monday night. He was 67. And he was much, much more accomplished than my little anecdote above. Among many other things, he was named the Poet Laureate for the state of Texas in 2003. Go here to read more.
Will It Freeze Tonight?
No, it won’t. But it should. November 25 is the average freeze date for Dallas, which, btw, enjoys a growing season of 267 days (compared to, say, Dalhert, which has only 175, or Dawson, which has 214).
The record high for Dallas was 115 in 1909. The record low was 1 in 1989. Is that an argument against global warming or a matter of statistical insignificance?
I know all this because I am perusing the 2010-2011 edition of the Texas Almanac, once published by A.H. Belo and now published, I see, by the Texas Historical Society.
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