Articles for January 30th, 2011

Bushes 43 to Attend Super Bowl XLV

George W.  Bush and his wife Laura will attend Super Bowl XLV next Sunday in Arlington, the former president confirmed today. But he won’t be rooting for a favorite team.

At a Dallas fundraiser for Global Health Corps, which his daughter Barbara serves as president, the former chief executive was asked whether “the whole family” would attend the  game at Cowboys Stadium. “Just the two of us,” Bush said, nodding toward his wife. Asked whether he’d root for the Green Bay Packers or the Pittsburgh Steelers–or didn’t care which team wins–Bush replied, “Don’t care.”

Jenna_and_Barbara_Bush_IMG_0026The Sunday event was held at Mount Vernon, an 81-year-old mansion on White Rock Lake that once was owned by H.L. Hunt, the legendary Dallas oil millionaire. The home is owned now by real estate magnate John Amend, who threw it open to about 500 people for his Second Annual Super Bowl-a-Thon and Fundraiser, benefiting Global Health. Barbara Bush (pictured at right with her twin sister Jenna Hager in photo by Jeanne Prejean) co-founded the nonprofit, which focuses on public health issues.

posted by Glenn Hunter | January 30th, 2011 10:01pm | filed under Events, Local News, Philanthropy, Sports | (0) Comments »

James on Leach Flap: Most in Lubbock Support Me

ESPN college football analyst Craig James, who’s weighing a run forCraig_James_IMG_9364 Kay Bailey Hutchison’s senate seat, says his role in the firing of Texas Tech football coach Mike Leach won’t  hurt him politically–even in the heart of Red Raiders country.

“I feel very confident about our position,” said James (pictured). “Most people in Lubbock support my position. We did what any responsible parent would do. We did the right thing.” A complaint filed by James and his wife over Leach’s alleged mistreatment of their football-player son led to Leach’s firing late last year.

Asked when he’d make a decision about jumping into the Republican senate primary, James said, “I’ve got to analyze it. I’m thinking about it. I’ll announce [my decision] sooner rather than later.”  The former football star was among several luminaries in Plano Friday for the premiere of  SLANT 45 The Movie, a project of the North Texas Super Bowl XLV Host Committee and Big Thought.

posted by Glenn Hunter | January 30th, 2011 12:32pm | filed under Events, Local News, Philanthropy, Politics | 99 Comments »

Parkland Hits Back at Morning News

Yesterday afternoon, I (and presumably others) received a lengthy e-mail from Dr. Laura McDonald, chair of the Parkland Board of Managers. McDonald disputes the conclusions of the Morning News’ latest story on the hospital, and takes a few swipes at the paper in the process, including:

The truth is, The Dallas Morning News had to wrap up its year-long attack on Parkland in order to meet its Feb. 1 deadline to submit their application for the Pulitzer Prize. They didn’t let truth get in the way of writing their stories, nor do we expect this attack to stop.

Full statement is after the jump.

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posted by Dan Koller | January 30th, 2011 9:05am | filed under Local News, Media | 13 Comments »