Articles for July, 2010
Leading Off (7/15/10)
1. More news is coming out from Coppell as investigators look into the apparent murder-suicide of the mayor and her daughter. There was a note on the front door explaining what police would find inside the house. Then there were three suicide notes throughout the house. According to the Dallas Morning News, these notes didn’t explain the reason for the act. They more so highlighted things that needed to be taken care of, such as the family’s two dogs.
2. A young father asked his friend to shoot him so he could blame the shooting on his ex’s boyfriend, thus gaining custody of his 3-year-old son. The shot ended up being fatal. I have nothing to add but this quote from Sr. Cpl. Kevin Janse: “There’s legal ways to get custody of a child and taking a bullet, and ultimately dying, is definitely not one of those ways.”
3. Yesterday Tim told you about a dead zebra. Today I tell you about a dead cat. Allegedly, the cat was left inside a wall at the Dallas Animal Shelter and not attended to until after it died. Seven staff members were subpoenaed and are testifying in front of the grand jury. This is a sad story. In fact, this whole Leading Off is rather depressing. The only amusement I can bring you is in the video of this story. Judging from Jonnie England’s choice of wardrobe, I can say without a doubt that this woman is committed to her job.
People Watch Angie Harmon’s Rizzoi & Isles
TNT knows drama. And guess what? TNT says that our girl Angie Harmon’s new show Cagney & Lacey Rizzoli & Isles is the “most-watched premiere ever for an ad-supported cable show.” What does that mean? Well, unless people hated the show and never plan to watch again, she probably won’t be leaving LA anytime soon.
Who Has the Best Bathroom in Dallas?
Bathroom humor abounds in this very sophisticated workplace, but I assure you, this is legit. There’s this contest–America’s Best Restroom–and you can vote. The problem: no Dallas location made the cut. And unlike Branson and Fort Smith, Arkansas, we don’t even have anything in the Hall of Fame. So I’m going to right that wrong and nominate some amazing spaces. My bathroom savvy co-workers suggested Fearing’s, Cafe San Miguel, and Stephan Pyles. (Tim claims there’s a window in Pyles’ men’s room from which you can wave to people.) Am I missing somewhere? Who has the best bathroom in Dallas?
Let’s Get Wet in Dallas
The Keep the Dollars in Dallas folks had a luncheon at Maggiano’s in NorthPark today whereat an economist by the name of Ray Perryman said if Dallas votes to go wet in November, the city will get $33 million in tax revenues, and 29,000 new jobs will be created. The full release is after the jump. If you want to read the full text of Perryman’s economic study, knock yourself out. But just know this: Keep the Dollars in Dallas paid $16,000 for the study, so you know it was only going to come to one conclusion. The city staff did its own back-of-envelope figuring and guesses that if both measures pass in November, it’ll mean maybe, oh, an extra $11 million in tax revenues. On the high side. Likely less than that.
Whatever. If it means even $1 more in tax revenue, the two measures should pass. Because the current situation is just stupid. Why can I go to one grocery store and get a bottle of wine with my steaks and portobello shrooms but not the other? And why do I have to be a member of a private club to have a beer at one restaurant but not the other one right across the street? Just dumb. In our August issue, Wick makes the same argument, although more eloquently.
And as long as I’m at it, while on vacation last week, I made a stop in beautiful Portland, Oregon, where microbreweries flourish. In a restaurant in Portland, you can discover a great IPA like Hop Monkey, and then you can walk out of there with a growler of the stuff to drink later. Why are we letting the TABC keep us from doing the same thing in Texas? That’s why we don’t enjoy the same microbrewery scene that they have in places like Oregon.
I’m so pissed, I need a drink.
What to Do in Dallas Today and Tonight: July 14
Break out the berets and baguettes, folks. It’s Decapitated Aristocrats Day! Er, I mean it’s Bastille Day!
I don’t know about you, but this celebration of French independence makes me think of one thing: cheese. For lunch, why not gather up your coworkers for a field trip to Scardello on Oak Lawn? One might ordinarily follow our own Nancy Nichols’ lead with a cheddar sandwich, but for this occasion why not try the Mountaineer, a baguette topped with Beaufort, Raclette and Swiss Gruyere. After all, today we’re getting our French on, oui?
Don’t worry, you have plenty of time to recover before our next gastronomical event, The French-American Chamber of Commerce Celebration of Bastille Day. Direct your favorite music-playback device to Françoiz Breut’s solo version of “Si Tu Disais” (I realize that’s a tad specific, but trust me, you’ll love it) and head over to Lavendou Bistro Provencal. Whilst pondering this momentous foreign holiday, savor a gourmet French meal and sip Mouton Cadet wines provided by Centerrra Wine Company. Better act fast on this, though. A chamber rep just told me they’re nearly booked up. Bon appetit, y’all.
Introducing: Samantha Shaddock
As you are no doubt aware, we lost the lovely Sarah Eveans, our events editor. It was a tragic accident. Her left arm got caught in a line attached to a crab trap, and she went overboard in high seas. We searched as long as we could. These things happen. Everyone knows what they’re signing up for when they come aboard.
Which brings us to the near-alliterative Samantha Shaddock, our new events editor. You can learn more about her on our Meet the Bloggers page, but here’s what I know about Samantha from personal experience: she doesn’t mess around when it comes to work. When I interviewed her, she said something to the effect of, “I expect to be the best at what I do, and I won’t settle for anything less than perfection.” She said it in a way that made me think I’ll someday soon be working for her.
She can play the piano. I haven’t heard her play, but she studied piano in school. There’s a piano at Dakota’s. I intend to take her for a drink after work and force her to play Rach 3.
You can call her Sam — as long as her family isn’t around. Her dad’s name is Sam.
Welcome aboard, Sam. Don’t go below decks when Laura is in the head. And be careful baiting those traps.
Writer Accuses DMN of Covering Up Honor Killings
Writer Pamela Geller — who maintains her own blog, Atlas Shrugs, as well as occasionally writing for Andrew Breitbart’s websites (according to her bio) — took to her blog Tuesday to accuse the Dallas Morning News of covering up the “honor killings” of two Lewisville girls, and obscuring the religious motivations behind the killings.
Now, I’ve criticized the Dallas Morning News before, Lord knows. But after reading the story she links to, I have a hard time finding anything wrong with it. She further rails against a simple question later posed about signs on taxis about honor killings. After a perusal of Geller’s site, it became a little clearer why she’s peeved – the story doesn’t demonize the Muslim community enough for her tastes.
Apparently, in Geller’s world, each religion is the sum of its parts, rather than a reflection of society – fragmented and full of varied moral thresholds and views. There can be extremists in any religion.
Shout Out To Roy Appleton: There Is No Trammell Crow Jr.
Will someone please tell Roy Appleton and the editors over at the Dallas Morning News that there is no Trammell Crow Jr.? The person on page 1 of today’s Metro page in the photo driving the bulldozer and in the second line is Trammell S. Crow, the son of the late F. Trammell Crow.
That may be nitpicking, but come on! It’s not like the Crows just flew in.
Oh, and for future ref, there is also no George Bush Jr.
Leading Off (7/14/10)
1. The County Commissioners Court continues to provide us with great entertainment. Yesterday, as a new Precinct 5 constable was sworn in, John Wiley Price got into it with Ken Mayfield. Here’s the best video I could find. But the transcript makes it sound like Price and Mayfield were flirting with fisticuffs (name of my new band):
Mayfield to Price: “The shame of it is you keep getting re-elected.”
Price: “We’re gonna take care of you.”
Mayfield: “You give it your best shot.”
Price: “We’re gonna take your ass out.”
Mayfield: “Yeah, we’ll see about that.”
If it comes to a throw down, I’ve got my money on Price. That guy works out.
2. Nothing I can do with this story but give you the lead from the News: “Coppell Mayor Jayne Peters and her 19-year-old daughter were found dead in their home Tuesday night in what police are investigating as a possible murder-suicide.”
3. I don’t know much about Tyson Chandler, but I do know something about Erick Dampier, and any deal that rids the Mavs of the latter is a good one.
4. A government inspector paid an unannounced visit yesterday to the Dallas Zoo, asking questions about how a zebra there died when it ran into part of its holding pen and broke its neck. My question: something goes wrong with an elephant, and we all learn the animal’s name (Jenny). How come we don’t know the zebra’s name? Did it even have a name?
Clearly, Someone Needs to Live Blog Commissioner’s Court Meetings
And by someone, I mean not me.
But boy howdy, it sounds like today’s was a doozy. A humdinger. I mean, golly, you should see what went down. I read the account on this electronic doohickey contraption, and I had boocoo thoughts. My 10wol review? Such language, young man. John Wiley Price is a spitfire. It was..
OK. I can’t do it anymore. Let’s jump. (more…)
Fund-raiser Cleans Up for Animal Group
If you’re going to go out and get your wheels scrubbed, you could do worse than having it done by dancers and other staffers at The Lodge. That’s what a lot of people discovered this past weekend, when the Cars and Stripes charity car wash there (pictured) raised about $20,000 for the Metroplex Animal Coalition. Besides reminding you of that famous scene in Cool Hand Luke, the afternoon event featured a buffet, a “dunk-a-dancer” booth and a pet psychic, who took a crack at our mutt called Charity. (I sort of lost faith in the psychic, though, after she ran her hands across Charity and asked, “She’s a female, right?”) Lodge owner Dawn Rizos says the fund-raiser was such a success, she’s thinking of doing it again.
TO Swears He’s Not a Distraction
Remember Terrell Owens? He had 25 million reasons he should be alive. He occasionally used to catch footballs for the Dallas Cowboys. And then he went some other places, including Buffalo.
Well, now he’s worried nobody’s signing him because he has a reputation as a distraction. He’s not, he swears. But in the meantime, he’ll be promoting his VH1 show.
I have no idea why he thinks teams might think he’s a distraction. None.
Evolution Fuels “Initiating” Permitting for Park Cities Station
So you may remember Evolution Fuels under its old name, Earth Biofuels. Or maybe not. Maybe you just remember a few years ago, Morgan Freeman and Willie Nelson were all about an ethanol company. This is that company. With a new name, basically.
It’s traded on the Pinksheet market. What’s that, you ask? Let’s jump.
What to Do in Dallas Today and Tonight: July 13
Good day to you, FrontBurner readers. My name’s Samantha, and I’m your new events editor. It’s outstanding to be back in Dallas after a three-year tour in New York, where I worked on Wall Street and in midtown, met a handful of friendly celebrities, and learned that it’s possible – but not advisable – to live in fewer than 300 square feet. With one’s cat.
During my second round of interviews here at D, Christine Allison told me that Dallas has undergone significant changes since my departure: “It’s a whole new city,” she said. She’s right, and I’m excited to help you discover all that it offers.
My first order of business as your social sherpa is to declare this a day of beauty and romance. And I have the perfect lineup for you. (more…)
Bachendorf’s Owner Harry Bock Dead at 80
The Houston Chronicle has the most information, but holocaust survivor and Bachendorf’s owner Harry Bock died Monday at home. He was 80.
Services are tomorrow, according to the Dallas Morning News.
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