Articles for January, 2010
Mark McGwire Apologizes to Don Hooton
Just before publicly making his unsurprising admission on Monday that he had used steroids during his playing career, former Oakland Athletics and St. Louis Cardinals slugger Mark McGwire called Don Hooton, of Plano, to apologize.
Hooton’s teenage son, Taylor, was a baseball player at Plano West Senior High School, and he committed suicide in 2003. At the time of his death he was using steroids, and Mr. Hooton has been crusading against the drugs ever since, through the Taylor Hooton Foundation.
Though it was certainly a thoughtful gesture on behalf of McGwire to reach out to Hooton, I was reminded that it’s less than clear cut that Taylor Hooton’s suicide was a result of his steroids use. It’s a possibility, but in an appearance in the eye-opening 2008 documentary Bigger, Stronger, Faster*, Hooton seemed not even to care to consider the other factors at work. After the jump, what I wrote in a review of the film for People Newspapers.
How Much Does a Window Washer Make?
A glorious day at D Magazine HQ! Our building is getting its windows washed. I am fascinated by these guys — mainly because if that were the only way I could feed my family, I would have to find a way to tell my family that they were going to starve. Just watching the window washers swinging on their seemingly rickety rope rigs gives me the fantods. Anyone know what these fellows make?
Arlington Police Officer Down
With this morning’s fiery crash that killed an Arlington motorcycle cop, a caring FrontBurnervian reminds us that even though Russ Martin isn’t on the air, his fund to help the families of fallen officers is still doing its good work. For those wishing to donate:
Russ Martin Show Listeners Foundation
attn: Ryan McDonald
2129 N Josey Lane Carrollton, TX 75006
Dallas Fed Prez Warns of Weimar-Like Inflation
So after that fella in Mesquite raised the specter of Hitler, Federal Reserve of Dallas president Richard Fisher made his own reference to German history, when he warned of the possibility of an America where we’ll buy a loaf of bread with a wheelbarrow full of dollars, during a speech to the Waco Business League yesterday.
Bemoaning the economic risks of large government deficits, Fisher said attempts to print money to finance spending always prove disastrous.
“We know from history that when fiscal authorities turn to the monetary authority to monetize their debts, the result is inevitably inflation and financial ruin,” Fisher told the Waco Business League.
“That is the lesson learned from Ancient Rome, from Weimar Germany, from Nationalist Argentina and, in its most egregious present form, from modern Zimbabwe.”
A friend of mine is moving all his money into Krugerrands. Should I invest in a wheelbarrow?
Putting Dallas’ World Cup Bid in Perspective
The press release from the mayor’s office announcing Dallas as a finalist city for the U.S. 2018/2022 World Cup bid couldn’t have come at a worse time: this kind of self-promotion isn’t going to cut it, to say the least. Today, I’d say we don’t even get selected to be a U.S. host city, putting aside the long-shot that the U.S. actually lands the World Cup. Next time there is any conversation about Dallas and the World Cup, I want news to come from these guys. Let’s just say when it comes to city promotion, Leppert and company are officially in the doghouse. We needs some ‘splaining. (BTW: There’s no way U.S. gets 2018 – that’s going to Spain. Maybe 2022, but we’ll have to fight for it with Mexico if it doesn’t stay in Europe, which is likely, since the next two Cups will not be in Europe. The 2014 cup, if you weren’t keeping score, will be in Brazil).
Top Texas Football Moments: High School Addition
After yesterday’s “Century in the Making” festivities, the North Texas Super Bowl XLV Host Committee has posted its entire list (including the high schools) of the top 250 moments in North Texas football history (as chosen by a select panel of sports journalists.)
It appears they’ve corrected the mistakes that vigilant FrontBurner commenter Jackson noted on the Star-T ballot.
My high school alma mater, Billy Ryan High School in Denton, makes the cut on the ballot, for its Nov. 13, 2004, defeat of Irving at Texas Stadium. Highland Park, Southlake, Plano, Lewisville, and Cedar Hill make multiple appearances.
Leading Off (1/13/10)
1. A report released yesterday says the Trinity River is among the top third most polluted waters in Texas: “The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has said the Trinity River and its branches in North Texas are too high in pollutants, especially bacteria from sewage, to be safe for extended human contact.” Think about that the next time you wade into the river to wash your laundry.
2. T. Boone Pickens said he was going to put nearly 700 wind turbines in the Panhandle. Now he’s changed his mind. He’ll only buy about half that number, and instead of the Panhandle, they’ll be erected in Minnesota and someplace called Canada. Just remember that next time you forbear from breaking wind.
3. The George W. Bush policy institute hasn’t broken ground yet at SMU, but it will co-produce a weekly TV show called Ideas in Action that will air on public TV and be hosted by the head of the institute, James Glassman. As you might imagine, some people have their hackles up. So just keep that in mind next time you take a shower with James Glassman.
4. I don’t know, man. I didn’t get much sleep last night.
Red Cross #1 In Dallas Juggling Haiti Recovery
American Red Cross CEO/President Gail McGovern is multi-tasking for the Haiti earthquake disaster during a Dallas visit with supporters.
TV with Laura: The Bachelor Recap Episode 2
Are you ready for some dinner theater? Will Chris treat what is likely a minor indiscretion like bloody murder? Can Jake get any worse? Are we going to be subjected to a double standard wherein people refer to a contestant as a “whore” even as she is vying for the attention of a man who is dating 15 women at once? For those unwilling to read more: yes. For those looking for a little more analysis, let’s jump.
Texas Football Legends Share Powerful Memories
That photo shows Mayor Tom getting this afternoon’s Century in the Making activities at Woodrow Wilson High School off to a start as the Observer’s Robert Wilonsky and his good pal Wick look on. (Wick bailed after about 20 minutes, and former D family member Evan Grant came over to keep “Fingers of Fury” company.)
In the hall right outside Woodrow’s nifty auditorium, the Heisman trophies won by Woodrow alumni Davey O’Brien and Tim Brown were on display, while at one end Michael Irvin was broadcasting his radio show on ESPN, 103.3. Outside the school, cheer squads from Woodrow, TCU, SMU, and UNT, greeted those who had gathered for the momentous unveiling.
As Brad Sham, who served as the master of ceremonies for the event put it, “There’s nothing that drives us [ in North Texas] like the success of our football teams.” And there was lots to enjoy for football fanatics, especially once Dallas Cowboys legends Tony Dorsett, Troy Aikman, Roger Staubach, Daryl Johnston, and Michael Irvin; University of Oklahoma standout Billy Sims; Craig James; “Mean” Joe Greene of the North Texas football program and the Steelers teams of the ’70s; Tim Brown; and the son of Davey O’Brien took the stage. But I have to say that the most unforgettable remarks of the program came from Abner Haynes of the AFL’s Dallas Texans and North Texas State (now UNT).
Top 250 Football Moments at Woodrow Wilson
In its customary heart-pounding fashion (thanks, Corporate Magic!), the North Texas Super Bowl XLV Host Committee presented its nominees for the top 250 moment in North Texas football history at Woodrow Wilson High School this afternoon.
They handed out the paper ballots that likely caused Friday’s snafu by the Star-T, which included the entire list of nominated moments. The “Century in the Making” website doesn’t seem to be quite up and running yet. (American Airlines is sponsoring it, and they said voting will begin there in March). So I’ll post the list after the jump. It’s all part of the efforts to create excitement in the year-long run up to the February 2011 game at Cowboys Stadium.
The Host Committee is turning it over to public voting (anyone in the 48 contiguous states is eligible) to determine the top 100 moments of the past century, which will be announced this fall. Voting will also be done in stages, starting with high school moments beginning Feb. 7 with a kick-off at the Fort Worth Stock Show, the college moments in April, some “unforgettable performances” in June, and August the greatest pro football memories.
Speaking of pro football memories, there was plenty of talk about them at Woodrow as well. But I’ll save that for another post. Here’s the list, minus the high school moments, which I seem not to have typed out at the moment:
Convention of Convention Planners Gets Ready to Party
From our perch high atop St. Paul Place, we could hear some thumping bass coming from down on Flora Street, where tonight the Professional Management Convention Association will get to rock out to Rick Springfield. So Zac and I wandered over to see what was what. We discovered a guitar tech doing the bass line to Kansas’ “Carry on My Wayward Son,” while saying into a mic: “One, two. One, two. One, two.” I wanted to dance, but Zac held me back. I bring you pictures. View images in a new window, if you care to see them full size. I dig the transparent tent. Providing views of the city, rather than confining the revelers to a white enclosure, was smart.
One More Thing: I’m So Embarrassed for All of Us in Dallas
Below is a video produced by the city of Dallas for the Professional Convention Management Association folks, who are in town (h/t Unfair Park). I don’t know where to begin. The song makes me cringe. Getting Vanilla Ice (who no longer lives here) to act as spokesman seems desperate. If your city official can’t pronounce the word “museum,” you probably shouldn’t have her tout same. I could go on. But in short: the thing makes Dallas look JV. We have some of the finest video production folks in the country working here. We’ve got talented musicians. Is this really the best the city could do? No, it’s not. [hanging head in shame]
Flora Street Taken Over by Professional Convention Management Association
As you’ve no doubt heard, we’ve got about 3,000 visitors in town, folks with the Professional Convention Management Association kicking the tires of our fair city. Walking to work this morning, I was impressed with the large tents erected on Flora Street, between the Nasher and Trammell Crow Center. According to the PCMA’s site, here’s what’s going down at ART-RAGEOUS, the convention’s closing event:
All the world’s a stage in the Dallas Arts District. Come alive with a spectacular showcasing of Dallas’ cultural, performing, visual and culinary arts centered on three world-renowned museums: the Dallas Museum of Art, the Nasher Sculpture Center and the Crow Collection of Asian Art. Hear the sounds of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra’s Brass Quintet, try Mendhi Art/ Henna Tattoo, see local artisans, and close the evening by rocking with Rick Springfield. This party is like no other so we invite you to Live Large. Think Big… Dallas style. Shuttles will run between all hotels and the Bishop Arts District from 6:00 p.m. — 9:00 p.m.
Holy crap. Rick Springfield?! Eric Celeste, are you reading this? Man, I want to get my “Jesse’s Girl” on. Crash the party with me?
Tom’s Teasing–Again–About Corporate Relo’s
More than four months ago, Mayor Tom Terrific talked about how a big New Jersey company, another East Coast firm, and a California outfit with 400 employees were poised to relocate to Dallas. Today he basically said it again–minus the Joisey angle and any mention of that other company from the East Coast. Did we lose the latter? Leppert’s teasing makes for great copy, but also makes you wonder exactly when the mystery CEOs are going to pull the trigger.
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