Articles for September 14th, 2010
Price of Weed in Texas Is Cheap (Or Expensive)
Here’s a website that tries to extrapolate standard prices from reader buying experiences. In Texas, high-grade marijuana costs $437.90/oz vs. $478.41 in New York. That’s the good news. The bad news that the same stuff in California costs $349.09.
But more good news. Our cheaper stuff is much cheaper. Medium grade in Texas is $172.31 vs. New York’s $366.84 and California’s $290.05. I guess that means our murderous drug cartels have more efficient delivery systems than their murderous drug cartels. (Sorry, Kenny, no prices for London.)
Kenny Goss to Have Prison Pen Pal for Eight Weeks
A politically minded FrontBurnervian points us to the news that George Michael will go to jail for eight weeks for driving (and crashing) under the influence of the Demon Weed. His partner, the often Dallas-based Kenny Goss, was in the London courtroom with Michael to hear the sentence. Says the Daily Mail: “Inside court, his long-term boyfriend Kenny Goss put his head in his hands in despair and later left the building wiping his eyes.” You can check out the picture of Goss doing the actual wiping if you follow that link.
No Love Between Commissioners Court and Watkins
So … we all know that the Dallas County Commissioners Court is where you want to go for real government meeting excitement. I mean, there’s this. And this. And well, this. I could keep Googling and provide you with a children’s treasury of brouhahas, lamentations and teeth gnashing, but I’m tired and it’s the end of the day.
But today, District Attorney Craig Watkins pretty much ripped into the court for denying him three positions. He’s keeping 21 after agreeing to give some of his forfeiture money for major purchases. But apparently the loss of these three jobs – a clerk and two attorneys – threw him over the edge.
The highlights, after the jump: (more…)
Mayor Daley’s Answer to Tax Increasers: You Are “Out of Your Mind”
Chicago faces a $655 million budget shortfall, which makes Dallas’ $120 million in red ink look like a puddle. When confronted by questions yesterday about raising taxes, the retiring Dick Daley was adamant in his response. I can’t find what the Chicago tax rate is compared to ours, but its sales tax is the highest in the nation at 10.25%.
Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge Cam: My Newest Fascination
I don’t know if it’s because I work downtown or if I’m tickled by the jail’s now even more prominent location, but I can’t get enough of the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge Cam. For the past couple of days, I’ve been keeping an open tab on my browser dedicated to it. I check in a dozen times a day probably.
Okay, now let’s all yell at each other in the comments section.
Some Local Schools Dig Obama, Others Don’t
I found it interesting that area school districts took different approaches when it came to whether they let their students watch President Obama’s speech today. I wish I’d known about this earlier today, before he made his speech, but no one else was talking about it.
What the Heck Is a “Better Block”?
In my recap of the Blues, Bandits & BBQ gig in Oak Cliff, I mentioned the Better Block project, which shows how a street can be transformed by applying some simple urban design concepts. But you want specifics and pictures, don’t you? Jason Roberts breaks it down for you.
Van Cliburn Performance Hits A Sour Note or Two
Among the big names on stage Friday night at the XLV Countdown at Cowboys Stadium were Tim McGraw, Roger Staubach and Van Cliburn, who played The Star Spangled Banner.
Was Van off his game? You be the judge.
Trophy Club Student Sent Home For Red Eyes
Kyler Robertson, 16, lost his father to a stabbing death. Two days later, he chose to go to his high school in Trophy Club, wanting to be with his friends during his time of grief.
But – even though Robertson’s mother contacted Byron Nelson High School to let them know about Kyler’s father’s death – school officials decided they smelled marijuana on him. Paired with his red eyes, it was enough evidence to suspend him.
He passed a drug test, and they let him back in. After a media report, the school apologized. But now it’s stirring up further debate on whether zero-tolerance is effective at all in combating drug use in schools.
What to Do in Dallas Tonight: Sept. 14
Tuesday already? My, how the time flies. First off, today I entreat you to weigh in on our 10 Most Beautiful Women in Dallas and Texture of Dallas contests. Why? Because you’ll be supporting the democratic process. Also, 13 contestants remain in the running, and 13 is an unlucky number.
Tonight, grab a fork and your thinking cap for the Dallas Philosophers Forum at Chic From Barcelona. Participants will debate the role of philosophy in modern society. UNT professor Adam Briggle will tell you that in an age when it’s not unheard of to break up via text message or reveal to your husband that you’re pregnant via iPhone, philosophy is more important than ever. Actually, the discussion will focus more on policy, but I thought I’d take this opportunity to remind you that the world’s going to hell in a handbasket.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, we have the Blue Man Group, which begins its Dallas tour tonight at the Winspear Opera House. Bonus points to readers who blue themselves before the show. Heck, bonus points to readers who catch that reference.
Browse these other great things to do in Dallas.
Men’s Health Calls Dallas a Hotbed of Sex
People come up with rankings. We pass those rankings along to you. This time, it’s Men’s Health and it’s “America’s Hotbeds of Sex.” Austin is No. 1 in the country. Dallas is No. 2. Now I’ve done my duty. You’ll excuse me for keeping this post brief. I’ve got a nooner.
Missing Javier’s GM, Pepe Ayala, Found Dead
Comes news that remains found near White Rock Lake a few days ago have been identified as those of the missing Javier’s GM, Jose “Pepe” Ayala. It appears that Ayala died of a gunshot wound, but the medical examiner has yet to determine whether he was murdered.
This revelation causes us at the magazine to reflect on the story we published about Ayala’s disappearance in July, in which we said it seemed apparent — given the timing of his disappearance; given police statements; given what his boss, Javier Gutierrez, was finally saying — that Ayala had gone into hiding to avoid serving jail time for his eighth DWI arrest. If we got that wrong, if Ayala really was abducted when he went missing in April, I will deeply regret having compounded the Ayala family’s misery with our story. For now, though, we will have to wait for the medical examiner’s report. Hopefully it will shed light on what actually happened.
Either way, today’s news is dreadful for the Ayala family and for Ayala’s friends at Javier’s. Our condolences go out to them.
Candice Crawford, Vicki Hutson Ford, and Leah McCann Need Your Votes
Remember Candice Crawford? Our blue-eyed blonde? You’ve probably seen her face on CW33 as a sports reporter or in the news because she’s Tony Romo’s sweetie. Either way, she needs your vote! Get to it.
Remember Vicki Hutson Ford? Our gorgeous grandma with more passion for life than anyone we’ve ever met? She needs your vote, too. And check out her video clip–she’s the voice of the American Airlines flights, and she gives us a little preview.
Recall Leah McCann, beautiful Week 1 brunette? She’s part girly (with her massive shoe collection) and part tomboy (with her affection for steak). And she, too, needs your vote. Go get clickin’.
Check out all 13 ladies here!
Leading Off (9/14/10)
(The I-Am-Slowly-Trying-To-Recalibrate-Everyone’s-Expectations-As-To-When-To-Expect-Leading-Off Edition)
1. The remains of Jose “Pepe” Ayala, the long-missing GM at Javier’s, were found near White Rock Lake.
2. Once again, some local schools don’t know what to do about showing President Obama’s back-to-school speech.
3. Dallas and Houston, sure, but Arlington makes the top 10 of Men’s Health’s Most Sex-Happy City list? Maybe we really should have done A Magazine.
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