Articles for June 18th, 2010
Ex-Oil Exec: U.S. Needs Independent Regulatory Agency for Energy
If John Hofmeister’s predictions are half as good as his timing, the U.S. could face an “energy abyss” by 2016. And, Hofmeister’s timing is pretty good. The former president of Shell Oil Co. originally planned to release his new book, Why We Hate the Oil Companies, in May, to capitalize on public ire over typically higher summer gas prices. Then the Gulf oil spill happened, and Hofmeister (pictured) has been a hot commodity on the lecture and media circuit ever since. This morning he brought his take on all things energy to the World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth.
Come Work at D Magazine: Tell People How They Should Spend Their Time, and Get Paid For It
It’s my sad duty to report that Sarah Eveans, the events editor for D Magazine, will be leaving us in the next couple weeks. Sarah has been here three years. It seems like only yesterday she was making her first post on FrontBurner (remember when we used to put headlines in all caps?). Now she oversees our events listings, and tells you just what you can do with yourself each day here on the blog. While no one can replace her in our hearts, we must find someone to take over her job. It’s a fun gig.
Read much more about the position here. If you’re up for the challenge, send a resume and cover letter to jason.heid@dmagazine.com.
ExxonMobil “Green Team” Still Pitching
Fairly or unfairly, the oil fiasco in the Gulf is impacting all energy companies including the big dog, ExxonMobil. While Congress and Jon Stewart have been skewering the Irving-based giant for its disaster planning, ExxonMobil has rolled out a brand-new blog to comment on the spill and other energy issues.
When the company held an event at its HQ this morning to talk about its 29th annual ExxonMobil Green Team program for students, including 50 in Dallas, I asked its Robert Lanyon whether the BP foul-up wasn’t making the idea of an ExxonMobil “environmental effort” a bit of a tougher sell this year. “This program has been successful for many years,” said Lanyard (pictured), the company’s corporate citizenship and community investments manager. “The need for [environmental experience and education for students] doesn’t go away, regardless of what else is going on” in the world.
No Money, No Fireworks, Dallas Says
Friends of Fair Park and the city have announced they’re going to have to put the kibosh on this year’s July 4 fireworks at Fair Park, since nobody has any money anymore for anything other than hotels and signature bridges.
I guess I’ll just go to the libr…*sigh* nevermind. Kaboom Town it is.
ShopTalk Friday Giveaway
We almost couldn’t part with our giveaways this week, but alas…
The Queue for Superman
Tonight’s performance of Superman is a pay-what-you-can affair. In. (I’m told the line today was longer than for any previous PWYC show. By the time the box office opened at 10, the number of people you see here had doubled.)
UPDATE: A DTC official tells me the show sold out in 40 minutes, a record for them.
Jerry Jones’ Security Guards Lose Cool, Pants at Cowboys Owner’s Highland Park Home
Park Cities People has a delightful story about an altercation between two members of Cowboys owner Jerry Jones’ security staff at his home on Preston Road. The fight apparently centered on who got to hold the remote control to the security gate. Seriously.
But you’ll need to shell out a buck at one of these fine locations to read the whole thing.
What To Do in Dallas This Weekend: June 18–20
Wake up! There’s so much to do, you’re going to need to get an early start. First of all, you must visit a bar very, very early today. And I mean, like, right now. Ready? Okay, the U.S. is playing Slovenia in a World Cup match up this morning at 9 am, so skip the cereal and get breakfast at your favorite watering hole. The Gingerman, Vickery Park, Idle Rich, Trinity Hall, and the Old Monk are opening at 8:30 am today. With the proper amount of Listerine and a doctor’s note (written by the bartender, duh), your boss will be none the wiser. And hopefully mine won’t be either (hi, Jason).
Later tonight, the highly anticipated Mark Morris Dance Group (read Danna Reubin’s interview with Morris on FrontRow) will perform at the Winspear. Crafty girls and guys will want to DIY-it at the free Etsy Dallas Craft Party, happening at the Make Shop & Studio in Oak Cliff.
On Saturday, It’s a Bird, It’s a Plane, It’s Superman is opening at the Wyly, Whoopi Goldberg will be at the Meyerson, and thousands of costumed and painted techno music lovers will be in Fair Park for the Electric Daisy Carnival. Get this: carnival rides are free! Take that, State Fair. (Wait. They won’t have corny dogs. Big Tex, I’m yours again).
Sunday is Father’s Day. I’ve summed up your options over here. For more things to do this weekend, push this button.
Leading Off (6/18/10)
1. One night, I got a little not sober, and saw this guy on a bike go past the apartment courtyard where I lived. I decided to lurch across the yard to talk to him, even though he was long gone. I got halfway there, and decided I couldn’t stand so well. So I threw an arm around a tree for support. But then my friends said something to me, and I turned around, and ended up with both arms around the tree. Hugging it. For two hours, I held on to the tree, terrified I would fall down, while my equally not sober friends tried to convince me to let go. I say this because I don’t think I’ve ever fired a gun in the floorboard of a squad car while drunk.
2. Liverpool fans think Stars fans and Rangers fans are lucky, because it appears those fans will divest themselves of Tom Hicks sooner. Liverpool fans, however, should take a page from Dallas fans and become whiny and premature parade route planners, instead of being so damned entertaining.
3. Speaking of the Rangers, rumor has it the team has contacted the Mariners to inquire if Cliff Lee will be available for getting, and may be interested in the Astros’ Roy Oswalt. I say this simply so I can post this, again, as Lee is a former Arkansas Razorback.
4. Irving State Rep. Linda Harper-Brown is getting a fair amount of heat over the fact that she’s driving a car that belongs to a contractor that regularly bids for and gets highway jobs. It just so happens that Harper-Brown is on the House Transportation Committee. Politicians, they’re just like us, with their free car getting!
5. So after yesterday’s apology, Rep. Joe Barton apologized for his apology to BP. Today, the liberal commie pinko rag the New York Times gave a behind-the-scenes rundown of what happened shortly after he apologized. I give you this, as well.
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