Articles for September, 2010
To Recap or Not to Recap?
You all know that I’m obsessed with television. But guess what? I’m also obsessed with recaps. (If you like Mad Men, might I suggest you go here, here, and here? Then e-mail me, and we can discuss poor, poor Sally. And I’m not liking Dr. Faye. And what’s happened to my girl Joan?) Anyway, with the kickoff of the new television season, I’m wondering which–if any–shows we should be talking about over on FrontRow. I think I’m done with The Bachelor. (I’m sure you are, too.) And the program(s) doesn’t have to be a reality show. It doesn’t even have to be a show that has anything to do with Dallas, although that would be nice. If you have any thoughts on the matter, please let me know.
Big Tex Is Ready, Y’all (A Special Intern Report From the Field)
Today they erected Big Tex. I think that’s what she said. Anyway, we dispatched intern Taylor Walker to see what was what. Her report follows after the jump.
Dallas Could Learn From New York City’s Playing Cable Hardball
Somebody named Vinny must have represented New York City in its negotiations with Time Warner and Cablevision. Why can’t Dallas get a similar deal?
Things I Do Not Care About: Miles Austin and Kim Kardashian
I wasn’t going to post about this. I figured someone else would. Normally, I’d be blissfully unaware of this, but I was looking for something else, and saw it, and now I can’t unsee it, and well, since nobody’s brought it up and it’s 3 p.m. already, here:
Miles Austin and Kim Kardashian are no longer an item.
So there you go.
Tom Hicks’ Continuing Money Problems
The Guardian is reporting that Tom Hicks has been unsuccessful in his effort to refinance his Liverpool debt. He’s got till the middle of next month to try to put together another deal. That cheering you hear is Liverpool fans who hope he doesn’t find one.
Rich Connor Hates America
Rich Connor used to be the publisher of the Star-Telegram. Then he got wise and moved to Maine, where daytime highs rarely reach 108 degrees. Speaking of hot, Connor got himself in some hot water (pow!) recently when his Portland Press Herald gave page-one coverage to the end of Ramadan on September 11 without mentioning the anniversary of the 2001 terrorist attacks. Connor apologized. Then he went to the Lobster Shack at Two Lights and ate a big ol’ basket of fried clams while he watched the seagulls fight over scraps. Well, that’s what I would have done.
In-N-Out Burger Coming to Downtown Fort Worth Mid 2011
Nancy says we may be getting our In-N-Out fix in Fort Worth even sooner than in Garland, and I am wondering if all the folks angry at Garland’s Animal Shelter for gassing animals might have something to say about that. In any case, West 7th, a 13-acre mixed-use development in downtown Cow Town is definitely doing something very, very right.
What to Do in Dallas Tonight: Sept. 20
Happy Monday to you all. And what a happy Monday it is. After tasting my first batch of Brach’s Autumn Mix, I’m confident this year was a bumper crop for candy corn pumpkins.
If today is your birthday, it might be appropriate to go see I’m Still Here, featuring my favorite bearded vegan, Joaquin Phoenix. Is this really a documentary, or is Phoenix just pulling our leg? You be the judge.
You may need to eat at some point before or after the movie. Now, I could—and have—made a meal out of movie-theater popcorn and a giant box of Skittles. However, for those with a more refined palate, I recommend the decidedly nonvegan wine dinner at Café Toulouse. Usually this monthly affair only features three courses, but tonight’s menu has four: pissaladiere with caramelized onions, anchovies, olives and fresh thyme; fish stew; duck confit with plums and lardon (a funny word); and warm olive oil cake with toasted almonds, lemon-rosemary marmalade, and whipped crème fraiche. Interested? Then get on the horn now and make a reservation. A woman with a heavenly accent just told me only 10 spots are still available.
Finally, be sure to make space on the DVR for your stories. House, Hawaii Five-O, The Event, and Dallas-based Chase and Lone Star all kick off tonight.
Not what you’re looking for? Browse these other things to do in Dallas, or check out our new iPhone app, which houses our events, restaurant, and nightlife directories.
10 Most Beautiful Women in Dallas: Today is the Last Day of Voting
I can’t believe the last day of voting for the 10 Most Beautiful Women in Dallas is here. But it is. Voting will end at midnight tonight. Until then, VOTE. Seriously. I’m looking at the results right now, and it’s pretty tight. A handful of votes can change the top ten like that (imagine me snapping my fingers). Besides, it’s Monday, and you’re probably already bored, so you might as well at least go look at the gorgeous women we’ve lined up for you. It’s suitable for work. Get to clickin’ here.
Between Forensic Science Commission Meetings, Frontline Examines the Willingham Case
Despite Williamson County District Attorney (and Texas Forensic Science Commission head) John Bradley’s best efforts, his fellow panel members refused Friday to rubber stamp a report clearing the science used to convict and ultimately execute Cameron Todd Willingham.
Instead, the commission will revisit the matter at its next meeting Nov. 19. Until then, you can set your DVR for Oct. 19, when Frontline will examine the case on PBS.
UPDATE: The nice folks at Frontline just let me know they now have a preview up here and here.
D Magazine Releases Sweet iPhone App
It’s called D Recommends, and you’ll want to install it so that you know what to eat, drink, and do in Dallas. Do it!
Leading Off (9/20/10)
1. The Dallas City Council will finally vote on a budget this week after months of haggling over closing a multi-million shortfall. When it comes to funding new capital projects included in this year’s budget despite the short funds – such as the Trinity whitewater park or a new library branch – the gap is made up by increasing the city’s debt. In fact, the amount of property tax revenue collected by the city that goes to funding debt payments has risen by more than ten percentage points in the past eight years.
2. Should Dallas Independent School District Superintendent Michael Hinojosa be flirting with the Las Vegas school system? James Ragland doesn’t think so:
“He’s taking a huge risk, one that might further undermine his authority – and credibility – internally and externally if he doesn’t actually get offered the Clark County School District job in the Las Vegas area.”
That said, perhaps Hinojosa’s toying with the Nevada job is a play for credibility a la Darrelle Revis, sending a message to the board: “You know, I could go elsewhere. So play nice.”
3. Speaking of football, with a hundred video surveillance cameras and 50 to 100 traffic professionals on duty, regional transportation officials are treating every event at Cowboys Stadium as a practice run for handling the traffic that will be created by the more than 100,000 fans expected at this February’s Super Bowl, which, it is increasingly obvious, will likely not include a local football team.
Don Henley is Working with Heartbreaker Stan Lynch on CW Album
Diablo’s Peter Crook took a chance and sent some questions to Dallas’ Don “The Eagles” Henley, who is notoriously media shy. Peter was mildly shocked to get Henley’s email responses, including the fact that Henley’s working with the Heartbreaker’s Stan Lynch on a country western album.
No date was mentioned for the release of the album, but Don provided some suggestions for moviegoers:
“Not only are we going fiscally bankrupt; we’re going culturally bankrupt, as well. Every man, woman and adolescent in this country should watch the films Network and Being There.”
New Look, New Life for Plano Star-Courier
For more than a decade, the Star-Courier and its fellow community newspapers in the Star Newspaper Group have languished in a company that seemed more interested in continually refinancing itself than in publishing.
Now under the ownership of its creditors, American Community Newspapers brought in experienced newspaper operators to get the company back to the business of serving their audience. The revamped Star-Courier (sorry for the bad reproduction here of last Sunday’s front page) is now being thrown to 80 percent of the households in Plano — and I’m told reception has been good.
These are some of the best newspaper suburban markets in the U.S., so it may seem a wonder that it they have been so ill-served. But that’s what happens when finance guys get their hands on something they neither understand nor know how to run. Now they’re out, and the newspapermen are back in. I wish them well.
Home |
Masthead |
News from D |
About Us |
Contact Us |
Subscribe |
Advertise |
Privacy Policy |
Customer Service |
Awards | Archives | Reprints | d custom | Jobs | Advertiser's Index
Awards | Archives | Reprints | d custom | Jobs | Advertiser's Index