Articles for July, 2010
Help D Home Find the Most Beautiful New Construction in Dallas
Today, I come to you for help. My ship has fallen under attack and I’m afraid my mission to bring you to Alderaan… Okay, it’s nothing that dramatic. I just like any and all excuse to showcase my amazing Star Wars knowledge. Anyway, I’ve been running the roads, searching for the best new construction in and around Dallas for an upcoming issue of D Home. I need houses that are visible from the street–no gates. And this is all about a lovely and amazing exterior. I don’t care about the inside–so something inside can’t be the thing that makes it great. (So nothing like: “Forget the scary moat! There’s a 5-million-bottle wine cellar!”) And when I say “new construction,” let’s say nothing built earlier than 2005. Do you, your real estate agent, builder, architect, and/or real estate loving friends have any ideas for me? You can be specific: send an address! You can be vague: send a street name or neighborhood! It doesn’t have to be something I can walk to–I’ll drive to Allen! Feel free to send me a note or leave a comment. Or, if it makes you feel better, you can talk to Candy Evans on DallasDirt. My feelings won’t be hurt. Thanks for your help.
Prosper Takes Its Place Among the Best Suburbs of Dallas
D Magazine online editorial intern Ryan Jones found himself charmed by downtown Prosper.
He was as surprised as anyone.
What To Do In Dallas Tonight: July 7, 2010
You probably know Courtney Love. You may or may not remember Hole, the alt rock band Love fronted in the ’90s, but they were kind of a big deal. Here’s a quick rundown: Hole formed in 1989, released three albums (including critically acclaimed Live Through This and Celebrity Skin), then broke up in 2002. But the band reunited last year (sort of) with Love and three new members, and the foursome is in town to play the House of Blues tonight. Tickets start at $35.
If you’d rather take advantage of the heat reprieve, head downtown for Samar Under the Stars. Out on the patio of chef Stephan Pyles’ restaurant, you’ll find cheap wine and cocktails, $5 sangria, complimentary meze, and half-priced hookah, all from 8 to 11 pm. And don’t worry about the weather – Samar’s patio is tented. Another idea: the Dallas Fish Market does a sushi special on Wednesdays, when you get four pieces of sushi when you order a cocktail. It’s worth it for the $5 martini alone.
Wanna Be In Friday Night Lights?
Best of Texas blogger of awesome Amanda Warr directs our attention to the fact that part of the show’s season ender will be shot a the Cotton Bowl, and the show’s looking for extras.
The DFW Wildlife Coalition got the sweet hookup from NBC, and for every supporter they bring in to fill the seats, the network will make a donation. Amanda’s got the deets here.
Accessory of the Week: Natalie Solis
Every time we run into KDFW Channel 4 weekend anchor/reporter/San Antonio native Natalie Solis, we’re in an argument with ourselves — is she more beautiful than she is the nicest person on air? This Brown grad has seen the world from riding camels, dining at the Eiffel Tower to cheering on the Kentucky Derby ponies at Lee Park’s “Day at the Races.”
Okay, so you see the photo, but you need more info on her personality. Let’s just say that even the crew behind the scenes at KDFW think she’s one of the nicest persons around.
The Other Incident At Rangers Ballpark Last Night
As Krista mentioned, the fan falling was by far the scariest thing that happened in last night’s 12-1 win over the Indians.
But something else happened that peeved me, because it happens quite frequently at ball games. I’ve seen my fair share, and I have a note to the adults: If there is a kid within your wingspan and a ball is headed to your section, let the kid catch the ball. Especially if said kid brought a glove and everything. If you’re old enough to drive to the game and buy your own ticket and beer, you’re too old to smack some kids around for a $2 souvenir ball.
Which brings me to you, Mr. Yellow Shirt Guy from last night, who shoved a kid face first into the railing and possibly even elbowed him in his haste to get a ball. Yeah, I know you gave the ball to the kid later, but he’s also a nine year old with a shiner now. You’re a lucky man, because many fathers would’ve given you a dose of your own medicine.
Leading Off (7/7/10)
1. A Ranger fan fell 30 feet last night after losing his balance while trying to snag a foul ball. Last I heard, he was responsive and was taken to the hospital. Four people who helped break his fall were treated for minor injuries. This YouTube clip shows the players’ and ump’s reactions. Don’t worry, the clip doesn’t actually show the fall.
2. So, Krandel Lee Newton decided he wanted to check out butts all day. And then people started paying him for it. Then he decided to get this idea patented. Smart. But then a business associate was all “I want to do this, too, because it’s awesome.” And now Newton is suing former associate for intellectual property. Moral of the story: just look, don’t sketch.
3. One time I was at a track meet in small-town Oklahoma. As I made my final left turn in the 1600-meter run, I looked across and saw light bulbs fall from a light pole. I slowed down a little to watch. (I blame my bad time on the light.) I chalked the incident up to being in small-town Oklahoma and went on with life. Now I find out that light poles fall even in Texas! So several of them are being recalled. You can see where the recalled light poles exist by following the link in this story. Or you can just go with it, and beat the person in front of you as they’re distracted by falling lights. Either way.
Mike Rawlings to Head Park Board
The former Frito-Lay Pizza Hut CEO will lay down his mantle as Homeless Czar and pick up new responsibilities, including figuring out how Dallas can transition Fair Park into a private-public partnership. In his time as chairman of the homeless alliance, he notes that chronic homelessness is down 57 percent (even during a recession); the Bridge serves 1,000 people a day, has gotten employment for 1,475, and permanent housing for 757.
Rawlings took on a thankless job and turned it into a civic cause celebre. But homelessness apparently was not controversial enough for him. So now Mayor Leppert has talked him into something even more explosive — and just as necessary. Fair Park has the potential of being a crown jewel to match the arts district. Mayor Leppert deserves a lot of credit for recruiting a good man to do the job.
Eleanor Faces Four, Nicky’s Sentencing Postponed
And their former Preston Hollow home now owned by the Feds has been significantly reduced. Even worse: Robert Wilonsky beat my post by two minutes. Oh well, that and lots more happening in real estate news over on DallasDirt.
Terrell Bolton Harrassed By Roving Gang of Motorcycle Toughs
Kind of. I mean, it’s not as dramatic as that headline, but Eric Nicholson has the story over on the Preston Hollow People blog.
Awesome Photograph By Awesome Photographer Allison V. Smith Featured In Communication Arts
Can’t say much more than what appears in the headline, except to add it is in their Photography Annual, which is a big deal. But you can see the photo in question right here.
Justin Bieber in Dallas?
A Frontburnervian just told me he saw Justin Bieber at the Hotel ZaZa pool on Sunday. The Fronburnervian is not a fan of the little celeb, so he didn’t snap a picture. I called the hotel to see what they could tell me, and a spokesperson said this, “He was around in the area. But I’m not sure if he stopped by or not.”
Can anyone confirm the sighting?
The Texas Tribune Experiment: A Review
Jake Batsell profiles the online news service in the summer edition of the Columbia Journalism Review. Two things I found interesting: database searches (government salaries, etc.) comprise a large part of its traffic, and its total traffic numbers for the last six months are only in the 220,000 range per month. Batsell is more interested in the site’s impact than its traffic. By my own count, FrontBurner has cited Tribune stories eighteen times since its inception, which is higher than any source other than the DMN. The sub-hed on Batsell’s story asks, “Will the Texas Tribune transform Texas journalism?” The answer to that is simple: No. Better to task whether it has improved Texas journalism. The answer to that is most definitely Yes.
But the best part of the story has nothing to do with all that high-minded, do-gooder stuff. Rather, it brings us back to the titillating question of Evan Smith’s salary. Read it after the jump:
Filming on St. Paul Street
Lots of action around our building today. An independent film, Seasons of Gray, was being shot outside our front door. The guy I talked to (he’s in white in the picture) said they were on day 12 of 30 of filming, and he’d be sure to send me information about it once they were finished. He didn’t get my name. Or my contact info. Not sure how that info will get to me. But I trust him.
Sorry about the lame photo. Somehow I got stuck behind their truck as they were loading up, thus no cool action shots.
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