Articles for March, 2010
Dallas Grows, Texas Could Pick Up Three More House Seats
In the past 10 years, the Dallas area has grown by almost 1.3 million people, according to the Census Bureau’s recently released annual metropolitan area population estimates. In 2009, both Houston and Dallas gained more than 140,000 new residents each.
Since the 2000 census, Dallas moved up to the fourth most populated U.S. metro area, behind New York, Los Angeles and Chicago.
This growth puts Dallas at the very top of the country’s growth chart — which means more federal funds. As a whole, Texas grew enough (with Austin and San Antonio also on the top 20) to likely gain another three more seats (at least) in Congress, according to Election Data Services.
Town & Country’s Pamela Fiori, Ctd.
Ms. Fiori was sort of my first boss out of college, when American Express ran D Magazine in 1990. I suckled at the AmEx teat of inspiration when she headed up a few editorial meetings with suggestions like “I just want to know where I can get a good pizza in this town.” So I feel like I’m qualified to respond to some of the things she said about the current state of media, according to SweetCharity:
Fiori on print vs. online: “So many women tell me how they like holding paper in their hands when they read.” Chatroulette.com has attracted 1.5 million users in four months, triple the circulation of Town & Country. What people like to hold in their hands doesn’t have much to do with how today’s multimedia consumer prefers to receive information.
On advertising: “Advertisers are so eager to think they can cut costs by advertising on the web. But a little ad online just cannot compare to a wonderfully produced ad in a magazine.” No, advertisers are tired of having no metrics by which they can measure the success of an ad campaign. Web, mobile, and social media campaigns enable them to do this, if only to help set strategy for larger, more expensive communication efforts (like magazine advertisements).
On social media trends: “We’re going through a period when people are flirting with things like Facebook.” Yes, 500 million people are “flirting with Facebook.”
On blogging: “Someone just recently told me about blogging and that it can be fun.” I really don’t have a response to that statement.
Slovakia Opens Up Shop in Dallas
The Slovak Republic (Slovakia to you and me) is opening a Slovak Consulate in Dallas in May. Slovakia’s Honorary Consul to Dallas, Martin Valko, sends word that there will be a reception to mark the occasion of the opening of the consulate on May 3 at Scottish Rite Hospital. You’re not invited, but you might be interested in the following details:
The consulate opening will also include an internationally renowned art exhibit showcasing children’s book illustrations from award-winning Slovak illustrators. … The internationally renowned art exhibit, which is being flown in directly from Slovakia, will showcase Slovak illustrators awarded at The Biennial of Illustrations Bratislava (BIB) from 1967 to 2009, giving you the opportunity to view the best children book illustrations published in Slovakia during the last four decades.
Finally, an investment seminar is planned for Tuesday, May 4, for 8-11 a.m. in partnership with the Dallas Regional Chamber, the Slovak Investment and Trade Development Agency (SARIO), and American Chamber of Commerce in Slovakia. We are expecting attendance from numerous Texas businesses so they could have the ability to interact with representatives of renowned U.S. companies such as US Steel, Dell Corporation and Ernst & Young which have been doing business in Slovakia. You can register for this seminar by clicking here.
Martin Valko’s name might sound familiar to people in natatorial circles. That’s because he’s married to Slovak hero Martina Moravcova, a five-time Olympian on whom I’ve had a crush since 2004. You want pictures of her? Of course you do. And while we’re thinking of it, congrats to the new mom and dad, who are expecting their first child in June.
Town & Country’s Pamela Fiori’s Class Showed Despite New York Post Rumors
With rumors swirling in NYC about her 28-year tenure as Town & Country’s editor-in-chief, class-act Pamela Fiori was in town yesterday and discussed her boss, future plans for the publishing industry, and herself with SweetCharity.
Chef John Tesar Leaves His Namesake Restaurant in The Woodlands and Heads Back to Dallas
Former Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek chef John Tesar is coming back to Dallas. He speaks.
Rick Perry To Decide on Reprieve for Hank Skinner
Hank Skinner, accused of the 1993 bludgeoning deaths of his girlfriend and her two sons, might be guilty. I don’t know. A jury convicted him in 1994, and apparently the evidence at the time was damning.
But Skinner has insisted he couldn’t have done it, because he was passed out, sick on the couch, from codeine and alcohol. He’s due to be executed tomorrow, and the parole board has denied clemency. It’s now up to Rick Perry to give Hank Skinner a 30-day reprieve, at least, so that previously untested biological evidence can be compared to Skinner’s DNA.
As we all know, Perry took heat for shenanigans surrounding an inquiry into Cameron Todd Willingham’s case – something continually brought up as both a black eye for Texas and for the death penalty in general. As governor of a state that leads the nation in DNA exonerations, you’d think that a 30-day reprieve to be sure that the right guy is being executed would be something Perry would want to do. After all, if the state’s case was right, then he’s done the right thing. If DNA exonerates Skinner, then he’s still done the right thing.
Reason.com spells out some of the other reasons Skinner’s case deserves another look-see.
Joel Kotkin is Hot on Dallas Real Estate
The author of The Next Hundred Million: America in 2050 is en route to Dallas to tell us what we will look like at the mid-point of this century and how we will benefit as the U.S. population grows. Hint — his forecast is not the conservative’s dream nor the liberal’s demand for order and security, but something in-between. Though the city core will have a vital role, suburbs and exurbs will dominate.
Leading Off (3/23/10)
1. A look inside the high-stakes world of textbook sales. While we’re on the subject: when I was a kid and my dad was a middle school principal, one of my summer jobs was checking in all the new textbooks, stamping them, and then distributing them to the various rooms. You know what wasn’t much fun? That.
2. A Flower Mound homeowner’s association is suing one of its residents for installing solar panels on his roof. “If he wants to do something like that, I think he should move into a field,” said his neighbor, Shelly Leih. She then went inside her home, turned on every light and appliance, set the thermostat to 63 degrees, and opened all the windows and doors.
3. The Texas Rangers are looking for help at catcher, in case Jarrod Saltalamacchia isn’t ready by opening day. Currently in the running: Frank Antidisestablishmentarianism. (Did I link to that story just to make that joke? Did Mario Tarradell spend most of his CD review column “writing” about a Scorpions record?)
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.
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