We received at the office yesterday an invitation from a Florida-based PR firm to take a press trip to Dallas to visit the recently renovated Sheraton Dallas (the largest hotel in Texas, for those keeping score at home). Besides the fact that we were invited to take a press trip to our own city, there are a number of things about this invitation that I found entertaining. Jump for the itinerary that journalists from across the country will enjoy — along with my comments.
Eric Nicholson, who’s a helluva reporter for D’s People Newspapers, is paid the ultimate reporter’s compliment by the Observer’s Jim Schutze in this tale today about a lost chicken in Preston Hollow. Jim’s risking a flap with his wife by saying what he says, so you know he means it.
The Wall Street Journal today saw fit to cover the big brouhaha up in Plano, where parents from a wealthier part of town are upset about their kids being funneled to a high school in a poorer area, rather than the new school under construction closer to their own neighborhoods.
Among the parents’ concerns is that a significantly lower percentage of kids at the school in the lower-income area meet the state’s testing standards, compared to Plano ISD’s other campuses. But this raises a question of cause and effect. Is the school lagging behind because it’s lousy, in and of itself, or do the kids that currently attend that school suffer from other disadvantages that result in weaker academic performance?
In his book Freakonomics, economist Steven Levitt of the University of Chicago delved into some of the factors that correlate with higher test scores at public schools. Essentially who your parents are–what socioeconomic background you come from–is more predictive of academic success than is getting into a sought-after school. Take heart, those who may be shut out of Travis.
He’s at the Davos World Economic Forum in Switzerland, and the Wall Street Journal asked him about the mood there. “Better than last year,” he replied.
He also said the heads of JPMorgan and Goldman have earned their pay.
“If shareholders don’t like the salaries, don’t buy the stock.”
Women’s Wear Daily says there are “some signs of life” for Neiman Marcus after a rough 2009. They note that same-store sales in December were up 4.9 percent. Of course that’s only an improvement from the big 31.2 percent drop they took the previous December, 2008.
Our latest D CEO cover story takes a hard look at prospects for the luxury retail icon. CEO Burt Tansky declined to be interviewed for the article, but here’s what he told analysts in December: (more…)
1. You know what’s not cool? Stealing $1,900 from a t-shirt fundraiser. That’s what Sandra Kellum is accused of doing to the students at Lee McShan Elementary School. But, I kind of feel bad for Kellum. She’s a single mother of three who was behind on her bills. I’m not saying stealing is the best way to go about things, but a small part of me feels bad for her. (Watch the video. I especially like the B roll at 1:11. It adds so much to the story.)
2. I just don’t get why everyone thinks hazing is so awful. It unites terrified, young freshmen who are just searching for a way to fit in and make friends. It creates a bond among the older students. Those who participate in hazing have lasting memories (and in some cases, lasting marks on the body). What’s better than getting those pictures developed the next week and then having a crop night to scrapbook the occasion? But not everyone agrees with me, especially not TCU student Amon Carter IV.
3. I so wish I could sing. Not because I want the big bucks, the best personal trainers the world has to offer, and adoring fans. But because at the Dallas auditions of American Idol, I could’ve met legen—wait for it—dary Neil Patrick Harris (if at least two of you got that, I’m happy). He was quite the amazing judge. Our boy, Joe Jonas, however, did not shine so well—I’m sure that’s just a result of the editing. Anyway, 31 people advance from the Dallas round to Hollywood.