Articles for January 19th, 2011
Ron Paul for Senate?, Ctd
A new poll suggests he well could win it. Public Policy Polling’s Tom Jensen looks at the numbers:
A much more obscure Tea Party candidate, Debra Medina, got 19% of the vote in the primary for Governor last year even though she was running against two heavyweights in Rick Perry and Kay Bailey Hutchison. If she could get almost 20% against that pair, why couldn’t Paul get 30-40% against what’s likely to be a much weaker field of candidates?
That, of course, is enough to dominate in the primary and get him in good position for the inevitable runoff. By the way, PPP puts David Dewhurst in the lead with a couple of points more than Paul. I don’t believe it. That’s just name ID talking. Dewhurst may have money, and he may know how to pander, but in a real race he would come off as pandering. He’s fine in an obscure job (how many Texans know what the Lt. Gov actually does?) But these are tough times, and Repubicans are in a toughened mood. If the right candidates get in, we could be in for a good ole Texas brawl.
Enjoy Tea with Lian Dolan at Paper & Chocolate Tomorrow
What are you doing tomorrow? Wouldn’t you like to sip some rose tea at the lovely gift shop Paper & Chocolate tomorrow with Lian Dolan? Who is Lian Dolan, you might ask? Well, Oprah’s website lists her as a “mother, wife, sister, friend, and daughter.” She is also the author of Helen of Pasadena? Whether you’ve never heard of her or think she’s the best thing ever, you should head to 5460 W. Lovers Ln., Ste. 235 at noon. You can listen to Dolan read excerpts from her novel and get her to sign a copy for your own personal use. Even better: Paper & Chocolate promises giveaways and treats. The event lasts until 3 p.m.
Construction Update: Museum Tower
Today’s construction update comes from Courtney Foreman, a graduate of Midwestern State University.
As you all might know, the residential high-rise and luxury infused Museum Tower broke ground last year. You might remember FrontBurner’s recap on the groundbreaking ceremony last June, which highlighted the 42-story building that basically offers an elite group of residents the world at their fingertips.
Well, seven months and countless shovels later, construction plans are well on their way.
Jim Schutze Fails To Grasp the “Rogers Situation”
Our good buddy Jim Schutze over at the Phoenix-based Dallas Observer weighs in this week on the topic that everyone loves to be tired of. I’m mostly thrilled that they chose to run a photo of me that’s about three years old. I had more hair when it was taken. But I do wish to clear up three points:
1. I did not go to journalism school. Nor did I get a degree in journalism. As I tell our interns, J school is a waste of time. To me, it’s like going to school to learn how to lay bricks. Why not learn how to do that from a bricklayer rather than a professor?
2. I never belonged to a fraternity. That’s one of the reasons I chose to go to Notre Dame. It doesn’t have fraternities. (The other reason I chose to go there was that I got in.)
Ross Perot Gets Playful With Ebby
Ross Perot is a business man, patriot and an Horatio Alger recipient. He’s also a bit of a cut up. Last night Ross couldn’t resist having some fun with Ebby “Almost 100″ Halliday (pictured right with Ross) at Myrna and Bob Schlegels’ party for the March 9th Horatio Alger gala honoring Ebby.
After the photo was taken, Ebby, herself an Horatio Alger recipient, told Ross she’d pay him back when he turned 100.
Earlier in the evening, “Old Two Fingers” serenaded Ebby with You’ll Never Walk Alone, To Dream The Impossible Dream and Climb Every Mountain. He also tried to get Ebby to shoot some baskets in the Schlegels’ third floor basketball court. Ebby opted to just dribble the ball a bit.
Big Brother Is Watching
Upon arriving home from work the other day, I noticed a note on my door. At first I thought it was another one of those “my car was broken into last night; be cautious” notes or a “don’t throw or shoot items out the windows of your apartment” warning. It wasn’t.
Instead, it said the following: I “discovered a hidden camera located in a junction box near the ceiling in my kitchen area. … The camera is small–less than two inches by two inches. … It has a very thin wire protruding from the front, which the police officers surmised was for remote transmission. From the back, it has a cord that plugs into a standard AC/DC adapter, the prongs of which were wrapped in electrical wire and electrical tape to connect it to the electrical wiring in my apartment. The camera has no on/off button or lights indicating whether it is operation. However, it was drawing current when the police removed it, so it’s reasonable to assume it was working at the time of removal.”
The author goes on to encourage neighbors to take a look at their ceilings and check for cameras. It’s good advice. But I don’t think I will. The ceilings are really high, I don’t have a ladder, and scheduling a maintenance call is so tedious. And, besides, I prefer not knowing. It’s more fun that way.
Jump for a diagram of the camera.
Pickens Sees Public Uproar Over Gas Prices Soon
Look for a backlash by the public over rising gasoline prices as soon as this summer, when retail prices per gallon could hit $3.50 or $3.75. So says Dallas energy mogul T. Boone Pickens, who says improving economies around the world have led to increased demand for oil, spurring the higher gasoline prices.
With current gas prices having nearly doubled since late 2008, when they dropped dramatically after topping $4 a gallon, Pickens says he’s perplexed why the Obama administration has escaped much of an uproar over the issue so far. W’s administration, by contrast, was hammered mercilessly when prices (see chart) rose between 2004 and 2008.
Of course, the higher gas prices rise, the easier it might be for the billionaire’s Pickens Plan for U.S. energy independence to get through Congress. “We’ll get it done,” Pickens said of the energy plan in Dallas yesterday. “We have to. We’re the only country without one.”
Former Booker T. Teacher Arrested for Improper Relationship With a Student
The principal of Booker T., Tracie Fraley, sent an e-mail to parents today explaining why a former teacher at her school had been arrested. She’s trying to get ahead of the story she knows will soon appear in the Morning News. It’ll be interesting to see how reporter Tawnell Hobbs handles this if she is assigned the story. Fraley’s e-mail:
At Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, we pride ourselves on the quality of our artistic and academic programs, our tremendous facility as well as our talented students and dedicated staff. At the same time, we will not compromise on safety. I wanted to bring to your attention an item involving our school that you will likely soon hear about in the news.
We were notified late yesterday that a former BTWHSPVA teacher was arrested by Dallas Police in Irving for having an improper relationship with one of his former students in Dallas. I initially learned of allegations involving this teacher through the student’s parent at the end of last school year. The proper authorities were immediately notified so that an investigation could begin. Within hours, the teacher resigned from our school and has not returned. The district’s Human Resources department properly notified the State Board of Educator Certification that the teacher was under investigation.
Understandably, we are as disappointed as anyone as a result of these events. I also know that this letter will lead to a lot of speculation and possibly more questions. Unfortunately, because there are numerous legal issues involved, I am unable to go into further detail. Please know that every effort was made and continues to be made to ensure the safety of all of our students and to maintain the integrity and reputation that our school has carefully crafted in the 35 years of our existence. If, at any time, you have a concern about the safety of your child, please do not hesitate to bring it to my attention.
Sincerely,
Tracie Fraley Principal
Show Your CFO Some Love
When a company does well or closes on a killer deal, the CEO typically gets all the glory. But many times it’s an unsung hero, the chief financial officer, to whom credit is due. That’s why D CEO has partnered with the Dallas CPA Society, Financial Executives International, and the Association for Corporate Growth to present the 2011 Financial Executives Awards.
The nomination deadline is just about a week away: Jan. 27, 2011.
Awards will be presented to CFOs at private companies, public companies, and nonprofit organizations. We’ll also recognize innovative finance teams; chief accounting officers, controllers, or treasurers; as well as financial execs who work in the public sector. Program sponsors are BKD, Capital One, and Tatum.
So what are you waiting for? Nominate the corporate number crunchers in your life today.
A Guide to Dallas City Council Seats
Over at BurntOrangeReport, J.Van Sickle has produced this helpful recap of members representing each district:
A Creative Director’s Review of the DMN Online Redesign
As promised yesterday, here’s a critique from our online creative director, Stephen Edmondson, one of the finest human beings you’ll ever meet.
A Critique that the DMN Should Have Paid Stephen About $5,000 for But That They’ll Get Here for Free, Because We Care
By Stephen Edmondson
The Dallas Morning News launched a redesign of their site yesterday. The paywall isn’t up yet, but select content will ask you to register. It’s all in preparation for the switchover on February 14 where it’ll be $16.95/month for the good stuff.
The new design is an interesting one, especially for a paper that’s about to launch a paywall. If you’re going to shell out for content that was free the day before, the experience had better be near perfect. In dallasnews.com’s case, the experience is getting in the way of the content. Here’s how:
Branding. There’s a lot of real estate devoted to the dallasnews.com logo. The .com logo has been around a while but has never been given this much prominence. I don’t think it’s needed and a case could be made that it’s a bad logo. It feels dated and the type goes a bit strange. Worst of all, it’s a statement that the paper still doesn’t understand that it’s the same brand as the website. Different medium, but similar content. No need for a whole new brand.
Russia is the New Texas. Or Texas is the New Russia. Economically Speaking.
Imagine a world where Houston is replaced by Moscow, Dallas is St. Petersburg, and Texas’ neighboring states are Israel, Kazakhstan, Chile, and Angola. That’s part of the fun with this map from the Economist, which matches each of the 50 states with the foreign nation whose economy most closely matches its own (in terms of GDP).
Kansas filling in for New Zealand is a funny thought, yet Bangladesh replacing Mississippi just seems right. If we picture this map as the start of some post-American Century apocalyptic scenario in which the world’s other countries feast upon the remains of the once proud United States – a giant game of Risk – then I like Thailand’s chances, controlling four of our territories right from the outset. Finland’s also well positioned to quickly seize the Midwest.
Time: Perry “Can’t Escape” Presidential Talk
Texas Gov. Rick Perry insists that he’s not interested in running for president. Time, however, points out that many people think he really is.
However, the magazine also points out that Perry’s “Washington is broke and Texas has the answer,” meme may be a little difficult to swallow, given that the state is also facing a massive budget shortfall.
What’s interesting is Time uses the disputed $27B figure for the budget deficit, not the $15B.
Things to Do in Dallas Tonight: Jan 19
Somewhere in this city, a bunch of millionaires who are much taller/stronger/more athletic than you desperately need your help.
I’m talking about the Dallas Mavericks, who are set to battle with Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers tonight at the AAC. Now, you might remember that just a few weeks ago, the Mavs were breezing past some of the toughest teams in the league. But in the fortnight or so since, they’ve had to play through injuries to two of their best players, lost nine of their last 11 games, and fallen well behind the rival Spurs in the race for the Southwest Division. A loss tonight would up their losing streak to seven games, which would be the club’s longest since 1999. So show up, be loud, and cheer them on.
Those of you who like your evenings a little less chaotic might want to head to the Winspear to catch Young Frankenstein before it wraps up its run in Dallas. If you can’t make it tonight, you’ll have a few more chances (the last show is Sunday night), but a mid-week show usually means you’ll beat some of the weekend crowd.
There’s even more to be done on this chilly Wednesday. You can find it all here.
Texas Monthly’s “Who Runs Texas”
Former TM president Evan Grant Smith puts up the list from the February issue on the Texas Tribune site, mostly consisting of lobbyists, operatives, and donors. The only Dallas name is R. Brint Ryan of Ryan & Co, which I take to mean G. Brint Ryan, the company’s founder. How did a defeated Dallas city council candidate — who ran the most expensive council campaign in Dallas history — emerge as one of the 25 people who run Texas? Can’t say, except that he serves on the executive committee of the Texas Association of Business and was appointed by Rick Perry to the UNT Board of Directors. That must be a friendship recently formed, as he gave $400,340 to Carole Strayhorn in her 2006 race against Perry.
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