Articles for March 22nd, 2010
Have You Done Your Taxes?
If not, then you’re not alone. According to a list released by Turbo Tax, Dallas is the ninth most tax procrastinating city in America. Houston leads the procrastinators. Also, congrats to Phoenix for dropping off the top 10 to No. 13. (H/t Unfair Park)
Best of Big D: Now You Can Vote
We are approaching that time of year again. August might seem a ways off to you, but planning for our annual “Best of Big D” issue begins now. And for the first time in a long time, we’re seeking your opinions. In the coming weeks, we’ll work our way through several categories, asking you, dear FrontBurnervians, which is your favorite burger or dance club or broadcaster in Dallas. Starting today, we’re tackling the food and drink category. Tell us what you think. We’ve nominated some of the tops in town, but you can fill in your own choice.
Remember: we are blessed to live in a democracy. If you don’t vote, America will fail.
Dale Hansen Takes Ron Washington to The Woodshed
In his weekly Sunday sports rant, WFAA Channel 8 sportscaster Dale Hansen set his sights on Rangers manager and alleged one-time-only cocaine user Ron Washington. If you’re a Rangers fan upset over the whole ordeal, Hansen’s interview doesn’t really offer answers to any lingering questions. But, Hansen does ask Washington if he’s telling the whole truth. So, he’s got that going for him. Which is nice.
Favorite question of the interview: “What would possibly make you think that cocaine would help with any [anxieties]?”
Is the Texas Theatre a Dallas International Film Festival Venue?
Not so much, despite, as Chuck Cox points out, the venue being on the cover of the DMN’s fest guide on Sunday.
Re: Cell Phones at DISD
Peter’s comment in Leading Off that students shouldn’t have cell phones at school is, I suspected, the prevailing opinion among most folks who don’t have children in middle school or high school, and perhaps even among the majority of those who do have kids at those grade levels. Which is why I’m surprised to see how many good, smart comments there are on the DMN DISD blog detailing my take: that it’s important to integrate widespread technology into the learning environment, and that parents who don’t keep up with their kids by cellphone don’t have teenagers. (Definition of good and smart? Agrees with me.) Two examples:
(via What Works in Schools): If you are staying abreast with the research on instructional technology, cell phones can play a relevant part in a teacher’s everyday curriculum. To do this though, a district must embrace the concept of using the tools students bring to class everyday such as cell phones and MP3s. Then have rigorous and relevant professional development on how to integrate these tools into the CPGs, and finally, have courageous campus administrators and teacher leaders who not only model and monitor the integration of these tools, but encourage others to begin to use them as well.
(via Cliffhanger): My kids and I use texting to communicate changes in plans, pickups, after school events and other things outside of classroom time. For those of us who have to live in the real world (i.e. not at 3700 Ross Ave.) with multiple kids to keep track of, two working parents, dentist appointments, tennis lessons, music rehearsals, client meetings that run late, etc. cell phones are not only an issue of convenience but of safety.
Comerica: Texas Outperforms Nation
From the desk of Comerica’s chief economist, Dana Johnson, comes the quarterly Texas Economic Brief, which you can read for yourself. The takeaway: “The Texas economy is still clearly outperforming national trends. The newly revised labor market data document that the recession in Texas started later, was shallower, and ended sooner than it did nationally. Now that the state has shown again that it has a particularly resilient economy, its enhanced reputation will make it that much easier to attract new businesses and workers.” I’ve met Johnson. He’s a smart guy. But I’m still keeping one hand on my effing hat.
Whodunit? Fingers Pointed at Texas Delegation for “Baby Killer” Outburst
Let me preface this by saying this not a post about the pros and cons of the health care debate. You either like it or you don’t, and, at this juncture, there’s little you can say either way to sway the person with the opposing opinion.
‘Tis done.
However, there is a bit of intrigue surrounding who yelled “Baby killer!” while Michigan Rep. Bart Stupak was making remarks regarding the motion to recommit last night. That it was a Republican member of the house, that was known pretty much right away. But who? First California Rep. John Campbell was fingered as the culprit. But nearly immediately after the rumor surfaced, he told reporters that it was not him, but the outburst came from the rows behind him — where the Texas delegation sits. He also said that most of the people on the floor at the time agreed it was a Southern accent, and some did recognize the voice but wouldn’t say who it was.
TPM also said it’s received a fair amount of e-mails pointing the finger at Texas Rep. Louie Gohmert, but he denied the allegation when asked by Lufkin’s Daily News, adding that “it was inappropriate for them to yell that.”
The Dallas Morning News reports that it’s also not Pete Sessions.
UPDATE: DMN politics reporter Todd Gillman is reporting that Rep. Randy Neugebauer (R-Lubbock) admitted it was him, and said he’s apologized to Stupak. Coincidentally, his Web site is now apparently getting an awful lot of traffic and is throwing an error message.
D Magazine NCAA Bracket Pool: I Wish I Had a Hot Tub Time Machine
Good grief. It’s true what Josh Howard said. You really can’t control what the ball do. It’s crazy, man. My bracket is all kinds of busted, what with Kansas and Villanova both spitting the bit. My long-term prospects of winning this thing are grim. But nonetheless and however, if you look at the current standings, out of 212 entrants, my bracket, The Real Housewives of Ennis, is tied for second with thesituation. Our own Zac Crain (Bear With Eagle Head) is tied for ninth. Here’s the top of our leader board, with each bracket’s potential point total, if it wins out:
1 Diaper Dandies 116
2 The Real Housewives of Ennis 103
2 thesituation 95
4 del99 170
4 Sven 114
4 D What? 110
4 The Bracket of El Goodo 98
4 Tim’s Taint 82
9 Bear With Eagle Head 165
9 seen Juan and you’ve seen Amal 161
9 Father of Five Needs Free Food 109
9 goin gonzo 101
It goes without saying, but I’ll say it anyway: good luck to my taint.
Can Tom Hicks Squeeze a Profit Out Of Rangers Sale?
Tom Hicks didn’t get where he is today without making some shrewd business moves. There’s probably some high finance at work here that’s beyond my grasp. And I’m sure Ron Washington has only tried coke once. But if Hicks owes the banks $540 million, and he sells the team for $530 million, how does he expect to keep $90 million from the deal? The Wall Street Journal takes a look at the deal, the sticking point of which centers on the land that Hicks owns next to the stadium.
Presbyterians and Methodists in a Sea of Baptists
This map from Floating Sheep shows Google placemarks by religious affiliation. Baptists are green, Methodists are red, Presbyterians are orangish, Lutherans are blue, Catholics are light blue, and Mormons are purple. Dallas is that little dot of red and orange.
Leading Off (3/22/10)
1. Tod Robberson on the DMN’s opinion blog notices updates to Tom Leppert’s website and makes a reasonable inference: “I can’t figure out why the Leppert people, particularly Web site owner Stan Olshefski, would suddenly have an interest in putting our mayor on Facebook and other sites. I wonder if this is a preliminary step with an eye toward a U.S. Senate campaign.”
2. Is it time to ban cell phones in DISD schools? No, it’s about time.
3. Tuesday is supposed to get up to 76 degrees. That’s right, weather, get in line. And, hey, Delkus, quit it.
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