Articles for July, 2010

Bachelor Contestant Melissa Rycroft Procreates

Bachelor loser/ life winner Melissa Rycroft’s six-pack abs are in jeopardy–for a little while anyway. According to People, the former Dallas Cowboys cheerleader and her husband are expecting their first kid. Somewhere in Seattle, Jason Mesnick curses the fact that his name appears nowhere in the article.

Website Offers Guide to Hot Waitresses

A design-minded FrontBurnervian passes along the link to the Dallas outpost of SmokingHotWaitress.com and says:

I just ran across this site. It cracks me up. They actually post how much they get in tips and people make comments about the hotness of the women. Is it new or do I not surf the web enough for hot waitresses?

Texas Forensic Science Commission’s John Bradley Gives DMN Scribe the Brush Off

I suppose it’s no real secret about my feelings regarding the rapidity of the use of the death penalty in this state, as well as the questions surrounding the Todd Willingham case. But I find it disappointing and disconcerting that a few simple questions by the Dallas Morning News’ Rodger Jones were dismissed by John Bradley, who heads the Texas Forensic Science Commission.

Jones details in the DMN’s Death Penalty blog the list of questions he submitted, which to me are a chance for Bradley to clear the air and answer some of his critics. Instead, he dismisses Jones as sounding like a New York lawyer, and refuses to answer the questions.

Are the questions really that  hard?

Woodall Rodgers Deck Park Construction Has a Hiccup?

An alert FrontBurnervian sends the below photo from the construction site of the Woodall park. Yesterday he noticed a big hole in one of the retaining walls. Water poured therefrom. Today, part of the wall has been demolished.

Yesterday morning the hole pictured was about 60% smaller and it looked like it was not a planned issue. This morning the hole is significantly larger and there is still a drainage line pumping out water from the wall. I’m no engineer, but I say something is screwed up.

I’ve got an e-mail in to the Woodall park folks to see what’s up.

UPDATE: Turns out, all is going according to plan. What they’re doing is demolishing the old retaining walls, which is where the support beams for the deck will go. This isn’t new construction they’re taking down. We should see beams going up in the first or second week of August.

Woodall

Larry Soward: EPA Is Right About Texas

Soward is a former Perry appointee on the notoriously industry-friendly Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. KRLD post here. Money quote:

“These same companies are operating in other states with fully compliant air programs, they’re not losing jobs, the companies aren’t moving away or shutting down, and the same will be true with Texas.”

Soward just doesn’t get it, obviously. We in Texas like our dirty air, and we’re not going to let anyone mess with it.

Troy Aikman to Twirl on Dancing With the Stars

I used to think it was stupid when people did this. But now I guess it’s just accepted. The money must be too good. Anyway, TMZ breaks the news that Troy Aikman will take his turn on the show next season.

UPDATE: As a commenter points out, Aikman has jokingly denied it on his Twitter feed.

What to Do in Dallas Tonight: July 29

Good morning, gentle readers. I hope this message finds you well and in good spirits. Speaking of spirits, let’s get right to the point: tonight is Bourbon and Cigars night at Screen Door.

I happen to have several friends who enjoy their bourbon. Most of them are hardened financial journalists, and because I’ve never enjoyed the taste, I always assumed they drank it as a form of self-punishment. However, I am open to the possibility that I simply haven’t tasted good bourbon yet. Perhaps I just need to find one that suits me. That’s where this event comes in. If you’ve always been curious about this pungent brown liquid but were afraid to try it, here’s your chance to do so in a safe, controlled environment. With cigars. And food.

Too many vices under one roof? Consider heading to the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden for Fast Lane at Cool Thursdays. Or eat for a good cause at the Feast of Saint Martha at The Grape. Or, if you’re in the mood for a movie, you might check out Herb and Dorothy, the first installment of FrontRow’s film series.

Click here for other wholesome options.

An Open Apology to Any Relatives of the Bird I (Probably) Killed With My Car Yesterday

I’m sorry. But I thought we had a deal.

President Obama Coming to Town Next Month

Details here. In related news, I’m going to stop looking at our comments section for a spell. Have a great summer, FBvians.

Here’s a Tax Pete Sessions Will Love

Yesterday, the House Financial Services committee voted to allow internet gambling.  By bringing it back on-shore, the proponents estimate taxes will bring in $42 billion over ten years. If the bill makes it to the House floor, I’ll give you 100-1 on how our Dallas congressman will vote.

Best of Big D Provides Guide to the Ultimate Day in Dallas

Kate-Imel-best-day-ever-2 That young lady to the left is Kate Imel, one of the fine editorial interns we’ve had here at D Magazine this summer. No, that’s not how she normally dresses — or at least that’s not how she showed up for work each day at our office.

Before returning to school (Georgetown) for the fall, Kate undertook one last mission for us. She was so amazed at how our Best of Big D issue has exposed new possibilities for better living in her hometown that she vowed to see just how much of Dallas she could enjoy in a single day.

Here is her report.

Leading Off (7/29/10)

1. Listen. I’m notorious for my inability to read a map. I know it’s hard. So I can almost understand how someone misread a map and labeled two stores in far North Dallas as being in a wet area, thus allowing them to sell alcohol. However. It’s not like no one has ever talked about this before. I’m thinking even I could figure this one out.

2. I like the way this guy thinks. First, he uses a toy gun to commit a robbery. Second, he’s cool that the pharmacist only gives him two bottles of hydrocodone. (Call me greedy, but if I’m doing a robbery, I’m going to expect more.) Third, when he’s confronted by the manager, he offers splitting the haul. Of course, in the end, he’s arrested. But still. He seems like a good guy.

3. I am going to leave you this Thursday morning with this: a story about a group of classmates from Woodrow Wilson’s 1969 class who took a mom of a fallen Vietnam soldier to view her son’s name on the Vietnam Memorial. It’s such a sweet story of a mom and a group of friends who never forgot the young soldier, who died 40 years ago.

Rick Perry Wants Me as His Homey Headquarters

I really hate to turn Gov. Rick down. He just sent the nicest video asking me to a Perry Home Headquarters. Yipes! Does that mean I would have to clean the place up? Is it like having a Tupperware party?

Then after asking me about that, he wanted to know if I could join him Saturday down in Austin to help launch his HQ Roundup to recruit other Perry Home Headquarters. Didn’t mention dinner, but I just know that he’d probably spring for some barbecue. Betcha he and Anita would even have us spend the night in his rental to show their appreciation.

Hate to tell him, but we’re already committed Saturday to taking a friend to the airport and then meeting up with a farrier in Cleburne who’s going to give pedicures to the equine members of our family.

Gee, Rick, if only you had asked earlier. We had to turn down the Clintons ages ago!

Celebrity Sighting: Jon Voight

An alert, fine-dining FrontBurnervian tells us:

Jon Voight was at Fearing’s last night, wearing his Varsity Blues jacket, no less. He is filming a new TV show called Lonestar and staying at the Ritz. I don’t know why he wears the jacket.

Because it was cold last night?

Frisco Family That Lost House Due to $800 HOA Debt to Get it Back

You may remember hearing about that Frisco family that lost their home because of $800 that they owed their homeowners association — while the husband was deployed to Iraq? Apparently, they’ve reached a settlement and will regain title.

Candy Evans has more on DallasDirt.