Articles for March, 2010
Note to the Man Sunbathing Right Now on the Roof of the Downtown YMCA
Dear Sir: When the idea came to you to catch some rays in the center of the seldom used running track on the roof of the downtown YMCA, surely part of you said, “But people in office buildings will stare at me, in my shirtless supineness, and snicker. They might even take pictures.” But then another part of you must have said, “Aw, screw it. It’s a beautiful day. I’m getting some sun, and I don’t care who gawks.” We applaud that part of you. A man can’t live his life — not a joyous, fruitful one, anyway — worried about what others think of him. He has to do what must be done, appearances be damned. On some days, what has to be done is sunbathing. So kudos, sir. You are an inspiration.
Willard Spiegelman on Ted Pillsbury
Our contributor Willard Spiegelman knew Ted Pillsbury personally and offers these words on the man. If you’d like, share your own the comments.
The late Ted Pillsbury was, like everyone, a unique individual. But he was also a bona fide member of a breed not seen very much around these parts: a Real Preppie WASP Aristocrat. Educated at St. Paul’s and Yale before doing his graduate degree in London, Ted was every inch the golden boy. He was suave, articulate, knowledgeable, versatile, and charming. He was a Renaissance man, in the finest sense of that term. He had an almost encyclopedic breadth of learning, especially with regard to the fine arts, which he displayed with consummate ease. He could — and did — talk with and to everyone, and he made everyone feel comfortable. He was, in other words, a class act, and therefore much needed in Dallas/Fort Worth. And he will be missed. His death leaves a gaping hole in our society.
D Magazine NCAA Bracket Update
A bball-loving FrontBurnervian offers a poem in advance of tonight’s action on the hardwood.
D Kunklers are you ready for action?
Two hundred plus in our small faction.
Tonight is round 3
And you will all see
Current leaders will have some subtraction.
A great night for Spartans, I hope
Their strategy seems rather rope-a-dope.
And happy as a clam
Will be what I am.
Hey Kansas pickers — don’t you all mope!
Here are the leaders of our group, The Kunklers, with their possible point totals. As always, good luck to my taint.
1 Diaper Dandies 104
2 del99 142
2 D What? 106
2 Sven 102
2 The Bracket of El Goodo 94
2 Tim’s Taint 78
7 Bear With Eagle Head 165
7 Father of Five Needs Free Food 105
7 seen Juan and you’ve seen Amal 101
7 goin gonzo 89
11 P-t-Pers 164
11 ConocoBeerios 100
Ted Pillsbury, R.I.P.
Shocking news. The former director of the Kimbell (who then went on to posts at the Meadows and Heritage Auction Galleries) has died of an apparent heart attack.
What To Do In Dallas This Weekend: 2.0
Weekend wide open? Nothing but complaining about your NCAA tourney bracket on the agenda? I’ve got a few ideas. Lookie here.
An Essay About What It’s Like to Ref Kids Basketball in Plano
Seventeen-year-old Alex Shultz sent me an unsolicited manuscript that he’d written about his experience refereeing basketball games for 7-year-olds and how it has affected his search for a summer job. I’m here to say that young Alex has himself a future as a wordsmith — if he’s dumb enough to choose that route. I offer his essay, unedited, for your reading pleasure:
Leading Off (3/26/10)
1. Local GOP leadership says Craig Watkins is a fibbing fibber who fibs if he’s claiming he started this program that targets career criminals, because his predecessor, Bill Hill, started it. But Watkins’ camp says it’s new because he changed the old program. In related news, I invented the car yesterday when I switched from regular unleaded to premium and put my KXT cling on my window. Bethany 1, Craig Watkins 0.
2. One time, in Chicago, I tried to get Oprah Winfrey’s attention by sending up a pizza, because everyone appreciates a good pie, right? Well, Dallas artist Shannon Kincaid sent a painting of Oprah holding a baby, and that worked better. It now hangs in Oprah’s school in South Africa. I have no idea where my pizza is. Shannon Kincaid 1, Bethany 0.
3. Maypearl High may lose one of its pitchers because his father (a 30-year veteran of the Dallas Fire Department) left his unloaded handgun in the truck Brandon Hyles drove to school. A drug sniffing dog later hit on the truck because it smelled wild hog meat, and when they opened it up, they found the gun – which Hyles did not know was in the truck. The district’s zero tolerance policy may mean he doesn’t play anymore ball, and he may not graduate, either. Wild hog 1, Everybody 0.
4. The Brick House Tavern + Tap is set to open in Plano. I tell you this because not only is the place billing itself as a “man-centric gathering place,” but it also touts an all-female wait staff of “girls-next-door.” And because it means I can link to this and this. Friday morning earworm 1, All of Us 1.
Kim Dawson, R.I.P.
We regret to report that Kim Dawson, whose Kim Dawson Agency helped put Dallas on the map in the modeling industry, died earlier today from complications associated with Alzheimer’s.
Our condolences to her family. May she rest in peace.
Experts See A “Cost Explosion” With Health Reform
Now that the landmark health reform bill has been signed into law, the quality of U.S. care will improve and costs will be brought under control–right? Wrong. According to experts at a Dallas panel discussion today, quality will be unaffected by the reform. And health care costs are about to explode.
“This was an insurance bill, not a health care bill,” said John McCracken, a clinical professor of health care management at the University of Texas at Dallas. “Its real effect will be to transfer a benefit–which health care has been for the last 70 years–into a tax and subsidy program.” The result, according to McCracken? “There’s going to be an explosion in the cost of health care.”
Britt Berrett, president of Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas, agreed with the professor. Where medical care once accounted for 13 percent of U.S. GDP–a rate that was decried then as unsustainable–”we’re now going to move to 30 percent of GDP, and $3 trillion [today's expenditures] will be in the rear-view mirror,” Berrett said. “That is the reality of it.”
Jump, if you’re interested in why.
Looking for a Cute Blonde, No Taller Than 44 Inches
Sounds like trouble and it is. The Dallas Opera is holding auditions March 29 to 31 for a boy to play the role of “Trouble,” the son of Madame Butterfly and her lover Pinkerton, in the upcoming Madame Butterfly.
Requirements:
This is a non-speaking acting role, not a walk-on, which would require your child to be on stage for a significant portion of the opera.
Daytime and evening availability is a must. Any child cast (and a parent, relative or guardian) would have to commit to late night rehearsals and performances, as well as four school performances scheduled to occur during regular school hours.
The Dallas Opera is seeking a blond-haired boy between the ages of 4 and 8 for the role of a lifetime. He must be no taller than 44 inches (3 feet, 8 inches), mature for his age, attentive, able to follow directions and comfortable around adults.
Mustn’t object to loud singing or being wept over, beautifully.
If you think you’ve got “Trouble,” let Dallas Opera Production Assistant Emily Gast know.
Nutty State Board of Education Gets UnNuttier
It seems that the Republican primary elections will have a positive effect. Abby Rapoport over at Texas Tribune interviews newly elected Dallas member George Clayton, who seems more interested in teachers than in rearguing the Scopes trial.
Kathleen Turner as Molly Ivins
So tell me why the play about Molly Ivins starring Kathleen Turner, called Red Hot Patriot: The Kick-Ass Wit of Molly Ivins, had its world premiere in, of all places, Philadelphia.
Say Yes, Ashley
It’s prom season! I only know this because I park in a parking garage with students. And I saw this little message from Michael to Ashley asking her to go to prom when I arrived this morning. It’s cute. He could have used a darker chalk that would have showed up in a picture, but I digress.
FB Group Asks, ‘Where’s [Dave] Neumann?’
Over on our Oak Cliff People blog, we shed a little light on the new Facebook group “Where’s Neumann?”
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