Articles for January, 2011
Watch Cane Rosso’s Jay Jerrier Make Pizza
In the current issue, I profiled Jay Jerrier of Cane Rosso, who is opening his new pizza joint in Deep Ellum in a few days. For those who prefer pictures to words, our friends at The Wolf Group produced a video. Enjoy.
Quick Questions For Thursday
1. Is there ever an excuse to whistle to techno music in an office setting?
2. If not, what’s a suitable punishment?
3. What’s your favorite No Doubt song? And do you want to hear it more? If so, click here.
4. Are you going to the Granada tonight?
5. Lemon, lime, orange or plain La Croix?
OK – go. And don’t disappoint me, people.
XLV Tent Party
Intern Katie Minchew checked out the XLV Party’s tent construction at the Cotton Bowl yesterday. But by the time she got there, the tent was already up. Check out her photos and then read what she had to say after the jump.
A look at the constructed tent at the Cotton Bowl. Photos by Katie Minchew
Twittering Cuss Words Across America
Black on this map represents a lack of cussing. From the way I read it, Louisiana seems to be upholding the fine art. But Texas looks to be a disappointment. And that makes me sad, because Texas invented swearing. I do see a little splotch of red around Dallas (I think). That gives me hope.
Leading Off (1/27/11)
Another Dallas man wrongly imprisoned for decades will probably go free. His name is Larry Sims, he’s 60, and, once again, his pending freedom is due to DNA evidence. But the DA’s office is not ready to count him among the exonerated. It’s a pretty confusing story, and that has nothing to do with DMN writer Jennifer Emily. It has more to do with crack. But you probably guessed that.
Former police chief David Kunkle “convinced [he] can offer something to the city as mayor.” That doesn’t sound like someone who is on the fence about whether to run, does it? He is not without skeletons in his closet, however. Namely this.
Lower Greenville is getting a makeover. Not much more to it than that. Okay, fine, there is more.
Super Bowl Week will test the stronger panhandling ordinance. Also testing the panhandling ordinance: homelessness.
This is the most recent clip uploaded to YouTube that mentions “Dallas.” Good luck.
Dallas Chamber Gets ‘Em In–And Out
The Dallas Regional Chamber really knows how to hold an annual meeting. Unlike similar events that drag on for hours, today’s chamber luncheon at the Fairmont started at 12 and ended at 1. David Corrigan was applauded for his service as the group’s 2010 board chairman. SMU was saluted on its 100th year. And another (near) 100-year-old, Ebby Halliday, received a lifetime achievement award–and a standing O.
To finish, W. Mike Baggett was introduced as Corrigan’s successor for 2011. During his brief talk the blunt-talking Baggett gave props to former Ambassador Jim Oberwetter, the chamber’s president and CEO. “Some of these ambassadors have what I call ambassador-itis, and that’s not always a complimentary term,” Baggett said. “But [Oberwetter] has been great.” Then the chamber’s new chair told everybody to scram.
Super Bowl Parking Spot Costs $900
If you’ve got a spare grand or so, you might be able to snag a nice parking spot near Cowboys Stadium for Super Bowl XLV. That’s what ESPN’s reporting, anyway.
Kunkle to Run for Mayor?
The News reports that he “is strongly considering it.” The sound you hear is nearly enthroned Ron Natinsky gnashing his teeth.
Things to Do in Dallas Tonight: Jan. 26
I skipped a new episode of Castle, my favorite so-bad-it’s-good murder mystery melodrama, to watch the State of the Union address last night. It was a pretty big sacrifice, considering I knew this was going to happen (spoiler alert!).
But I’m glad that I did, and not just for the shots of that unfortunate audience member sniffing his fingers after cleaning out his ear. Obama talked about the importance of educators, and it seems to me that we hear a lot more about the bad ones than we do about the good. So if you can read this post (and I hope that’s everyone), give your most beloved teacher a mental hug. And maybe send him or her an e-mail.
Continuing the educational theme, if you’re around Fair Park with the kids, the new Math Midway exhibit at the Museum of Nature and Science is a perfect after-school activity. I hate anything that remotely resembles math, but even I think the giant puzzle thing looks fun. Plus, I hear there’s a monkey. I’d lament the fact that this wasn’t around when I was a kid, but let’s be honest: I could probably learn a thing or two even now.
For more adult entertainment — no, not that kind — there’s Wine Down Wednesdays at State & Allen Lounge and live piano music at Seasons 52 in Plano. I especially like the double happy hour at State and Allen — show up straight from work, or go home first and take a nap (or run errands and be a responsible person, whatever). I can’t think of a better way to celebrate Humpday than a glass of something nice and a little night music.
Nothing here to fit your mid-week mood? There’s more.
Leading Off (1/26/11)
Obama Alludes to Plano Student in Speech. One wonders what Amy Chyao’s parents are thinking this morning. The Plano high school chemistry whiz sat with Michelle Obama last night during the president’s speech. I’m sure her parents figured their daughter would get mentioned in the president’s speech. And she was — kinda. The president said, “We need to teach our kids that it’s not just the winner of the Super Bowl who deserves to be celebrated, but the winner of the science fair.” Would it have killed him to have uttered the words “Amy” and “Chyao”?
Dallas County Elections Chief Might Get Canned. Since 1987 a guy named Bruce Sherbet has run the elections process in Dallas County. By all accounts, he’s done a swell job. Without question, he’s got an awesome name. For that last reason alone, I’d be disappointed if the county commissioners fired him.
America’s Most Wanted Nabs Rockwall Man. Jack Allen Poteat probably thought he’d gotten away with it. He was indicted back in 1999 for statutory rape and other charges. Then the dang television caught up with him.
Phillies Fans Now Love Dallas. A columnist for the Philadelphia Inquirer writes: “Next time you’re venting about how much you hate Dallas, or Texas, or Dallas, Texas, you might want to reconsider. Because Cliff Lee might be a Yankee without the help of some people down there.” I think Arlington has to look at it this way: yes, everyone thinks the Super Bowl is in Dallas. Yes, they think the Rangers play here, too, apparently. But maybe the flip side holds true, too. If something terrible goes does down in Arlington during the Super Bowl, maybe Dallas will get the blame for it. Keep your chin up, guys.
Law Man Walking: Nature Treks With Bill Holston
In our last installment, Bill wrote about a walk through the Cedar Ridge Preserve. Today we find him sauntering along Turtle Creek.
Law Man Walking
By Bill Holston
During the week, if I have time, I try to walk during the lunch hour. I find that getting outside during the work week is a great stress reducer. Not to mention, it burns a few calories, to free up some room for those tasty Good 2 Go tacos that have recently arrived in my neighborhood. Actually, I find I’m more productive at work after I’ve had a walk. It’s good to get away from the phone and computer terminal for about 45 minutes.
I quit walking with an iPod several years ago because I prefer to leave space and quiet for thought. I also enjoy the bird calls and sounds of wind as I walk. Quite often, I find that my mood instantly brightens by getting outside during the day. It also helps me to appreciate the seasons. The one exception is summer. It turns out clients and fellow workers prefer their lawyer not to be sweat drenched. Go figure.
D Magazine Wins FOLIO Award
You will be pleased to know that your humble media servants won silver in the annual FOLIO Eddie Awards in the category for best full issue from a regional consumer magazine. We won the award for our 35th anniversary issue. We had to stand on the podium and watch as Time Inc.’s Sunset Magazine sang its company’s anthem.
(Magazine trivia: there’s a connection between D Magazine and Sunset. Anyone remember former D editor Melissa Houtte? She ran the ship here when I was an intern, back in 1992. She left D to take the helm at Sunset. I recall being rather surprised when I learned that, at the time, she didn’t know the voting age was 18.)
Q&A With Our New Events Editor, Liz Johnstone
We have a new staffer among us. Her name is Elizabeth Johnstone — or, as I call her, “Liz.” She’ll be writing the daily FrontBurner feature “What To Do In Dallas Tonight.” And, of course, her tireless efforts to uncover fun stuff will inform part of our iPhone app and they will bear the tasty fruit that we call our comprehensive online Events database. By way of introducing her to you, dear FrontBurnervians, I thought we’d break off a little Q&A.
Forget Football; It’s All About KISS
Attorney Marty Beyer, shown here at a Hard Rock Cafe, has not outgrown his lifelong obsession with Gene Simmons and KISS.
My younger brother, Marty, played football in college and is crazy about the game. But that’s not what’s compelling him to join tens of thousands of others in flocking to Dallas—um, Arlington—next week. An attorney in Dayton, Ohio, my brother is also a huge KISS fan, and has been since the 1970s. So when he heard about a big bash KISS’ Gene Simmons is throwing on Feb. 2, he immediately began looking into flights.
Simmons’ 2011 Aces and Angels Salute to the Troops will be the first major party of Super Bowl week. The KISS front man and his longtime partner, former Playmate Shannon Tweed, will host 500 Texas soldiers and about 2,500 partiers at Fair Park’s Centennial Hall. Proceeds will benefit the Wounded Warrior Project and the USO.
More than 50 professional athletes are slated to attend, including Jason Witten, Randy White, Jim McMahon, and Bret Saberhagen. Promoters also promise rock stars and television and film celebs. Entertainment will be provided by Five for Fighting (John Ondrasik), Little Texas, Rival Sons, and The Grascals. (What?! No KISS?!) The event also will include the Texas State Poker Championships, with the winner getting a $10,000 seat to represent the state Texas at the World Series of Poker.
The whole thing will be filmed by A&E for its reality series, Gene Simmons’ Family Jewels. Individual tickets and VIP cabanas for 10 remain available.
See you soon, bro!
UPDATE: The City of Dallas will present Simmons and Tweed with a key to the city, for their support of the U.S. military. The presentation will be made at 4 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 28, at the Dallas City Hall flag room on the sixth floor.
Sigh … I Want To Love KXT, I Do
Listen, I really want to love KXT, the NPR-offshoot of local radio here in Dallas. And at first, I really did. I’m even a sticker-on-my-car-bearing member. And for a while there, my commute was joyous, because it was full of local musicians and bands, Texas music, and rarely heard stuff that was consigned to B-sides back in the day.
But then, well, then I turned on the radio one day, and heard Dave Matthews Band – “Crash Into Me,” to be specific. “No, No, Gini,” I said under my breath. But then the next song came on, and all was right with the world.
‘Til the next morning, that is. When I got to the exact same spot in my commute, and heard freaking DMB, “Crash Into Me,” again. It was like “Groundhog Day,” without the animal torture. And then I began noticing even more musical detritus creeping into the lineup. Matchbox 20. Jewel. The Wallflowers. Adam Ant. Soul Asylum.
And then I noticed the Twitter chatter. Go ahead, go search #kxtfail. Or search KXT, period. You’ll see I’m not the only one whose noticed the rather Jack FM-ness of this baby radio station that has suddenly replaced the station who would throw on some Dawes and then some Rickie Lee Jones, and right after that some not-done-to-death Muse.
Word on the street is that they’re looking for a Music Director. For now, I’d think a good list of what not to play might be helpful?
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