Articles for February 2nd, 2011
No Tent Planned in XLV Party Change of Plans for Super Bowl XLV
Remember that tent in the Cotton Bowl that “didn’t collapse” but went down before handlers could put it down? Well, instead of resurrecting the downed tent, organizers are moving the Friday and Saturday parties next door to the Fair Park Coliseum. Not only has it been the location for equine exhibitions, it can handle 9,000 seated humans.
According to spokesperson Ariana Hajibashi, they’ve added more boldface type performers:
“In addition to the location change, XLV Party has been busy securing even more talent for Friday and Saturday night. Nadis Warrior will join Friday night’s lineup, which already includes Passion Pit, DJ Samantha Ronson, Duran Duran’s Roger Taylor and more. Saturday gets two new artists: acclaimed alt-rockers and hometown favorite, Drowning Pool, and DJ Enferno, the world-renowned DJ who tours with Madonna. They’ll bring extra excitement to a night that already features Exit 380, Rhymin’ N Stealin’ and two Playboy Playmates as hosts.”
Tickets are now on sale for $59.
Battle for Super Bowl 50: DFW vs. L.A.?
Almost from the get-go, the North Texas Super Bowl XLV Host Committee has been angling for multiple Super Bowls at Cowboys Stadium, beginning with the 50th anniversary game in 2016. But now, ESPN reports, DFW has a serious rival for that game in Los Angeles, which may have the better shot at landing it. The first Super Bowl was played in 1967 at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. And plans have just been unveiled for a new Tinseltown stadium called Farmers Field, which is taking its cues from Cowboys Stadium. Maybe Jerry & Co. should pray for an earthquake?
Larry Hagman is Returning to Dallas
CBC News is reporting that 79-year-old Larry Hagman will reprise his role as J.R. Ewing in a TNT production of Dallas. Linda Gray will also be back as J.R.’s long-suffering, bleary-eyed wife, Sue Ellen, and Patrick Duffy will return as too-good-to-be-true brother Bobby Ewing. The 21st-century Dallas will have J.R.’s grown-up son John Ross, who will probably be a chip off the old block.
Update: Uncle Barky had it even before the Canadians this morning with deets.
Will Oncor Shut Down Downtown Dallas?
According to Robert’s Blog, the Central Business District is immune to the rolling blackouts. But hang on. A warm-blooded FrontBurnervian passes along the following note sent by the folks who operate the Bank of America building to the tenants there:
We have now received word that downtown Dallas is being put in the rolling blackout rotation within the next hour. There is a possibility that Oncor may bypass downtown if they can see enough power being shed by downtown buildings. Several other properties have indicated that they are turning their heat off and suggesting their tenants close down.
We are not necessarily asking you to take that measure, but if you can let us know if you are closed today, we could turn the interior heat off and reduce the settings on the thermostats to your floors and therefore reduce the load. Also, if you have any unnecessary lights or equipment on, please turn them off.
That e-mail was sent about one hour ago. I’m thinking that this computer I’m using does use electricity. Seems like the only Christian thing to do is shed that load, right?
Update (2:53): Chris Schein at Oncor confirms that the controlled blackouts have ended — for now. But we’re operating on a thin margin here. Will they return? Depends on how much energy we use. All of which argues for pointing my mouse at that little apple up in the left-hand corner.
Clay Jenkins Breaks a Leg — Literally
Clay Jenkins, the new Dallas County judge, had a rough go of it on the ice. From WFAA:
County Judge Clay Jenkins is out of commission. He slipped on a patch of ice leaving his home for work this morning and broke his leg. He’s being treated at Parkland Hospital and is expected to have surgery.
Right now Jonathan Neerman is using special self-control techniques he learned in the CIA to keep from jumping on Twitter and making jokes.
Rioting in Highland Park To Commence in 3, 2 …
Forget the turmoil in Egypt. Chaos is coming to a leafy enclave near you. The rolling blackouts are now affecting Highland Park. Via Whole Foods’ Facebook page:
Store closing update: due to hourly blackouts in the Highland Park area, our store there is closed as of 1:30pm. We anticipate opening at 10am tomorrow as scheduled.
Why Can’t the Planes Fly at Love?
In the comments to my post about the driving conditions this morning, Brenda Marks wrote:
The roads are passable. What I don’t understand is why the city’s aviation department can’t get off their ___ and figure out a away to open Love Field to AIRPLANES. One runway may be clear, but the taxiways aren’t. So planes can’t fly. I’ve taken my beloved back and forth yet again today (same yesterday) while trying to get him on an aircraft to ABQ. Rebooked at 5 pm but so far nothing has been in the air. Why doesn’t the press go to Love Field and ask them what the __ is going on out there? This is a huge problem and story. Why isn’t the Dallas press covering it?
I’ve e-mailed and called Jose Torres, the media guy at Love. I’ll let you know what he says.
Update (2:32): From Torres: “Our longest runway has been open since 3 pm yesterday as well as taxiways leading to it. Each carrier or GA pilot makes their own decision if they want to go. One runway is open as well as the taxiways leading to it. The airport is open for incoming and departing flights. Pretty much as the freeways are open but some chose to stay home. Passengers may be wrongly upset at the airport. Airlines have the last word on safety.”
No Fair-Weather Friends at Super Bowl XLV Media Bash
The NFL had issued its marching orders to ESPN earlier about DFW’s big freeze, with the sports anchors repeating the mantra: “It’s the Ultimate Reality Show; have fun with it!” Cowboys owner Jerry Jones had also weighed in, saying the frigid temps would only serve to make Saturday and Sunday–when it’s predicted to be warmer–that much sweeter. So you knew the weather would be a hot topic at Tuesday night’s Super Bowl Media Party at the House of Blues, where the thousands of guest included Jerry and his son Stephen (shown here watching the action from a roped-off balcony perch, with two Dallas cops guarding access.) And sure enough it was.
Among the local and out-of-town media types packed into the nightclub’s multiple floors, Fox4 weatherman Ron Jackson said he “just came in to have a couple of beers” after a long, tough day of reporting on the below-freezing conditions. Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert welcomed the throng like this: ”While temperatures are a little cold outside … there’s no warmer hospitality than you’ll find in Dallas.”
And local host committee chairman Roger Staubach said the committee was simply trying to accommodate the Super Bowl rivals, Green Bay and Pittsburgh, with weather that was relevant to their parts of the country. “But by Friday, Saturday and Sunday,” Roger added, “our host committee will deliver [to the fans and media] the weather that you want. I just wanted to clarify that.”
So, who all was at this shindig?
Super Bowl Party on the Cheap
Bad weather is good news if you’re partying on a budget. Just over the transom:
Due to the weather situation in the DFW area, we are offering the first 1000 people who brave the weather and come support the troops a $475 all inclusive ticket for just $100 ticket to the biggest celebrity party in Dallas, the Gene Simmons Aces & Angels Salute to the Troops party tonight at Centennial Hall in Fair Park. You must arrive between 6 and 7 and come help welcome Gene Simmons and the Troops. You will have the opportunity to get on the Reality Show Gene Simmons Family Jewels and take part in this patriotic event. Tickets include open bar, Taste of Texas buffet, Casino Games, Concerts by Five for Fighting & Little Texas, Celebrities, NFL Stars and more. Come show your support for the troops.
Totally Hot Pictures of Sarah Shahi
An out-of-town FrontBurnervian points us to an Esquire online-only photo gallery of Sarah Shahi, whom you’ll no doubt recall from this little ditty Paul Kix did on her for the magazine back in 2006 (scroll down). Shahi, a great-great-granddaughter of an Iranian shah, is a former SMU student and former Cowboys Cheerleader. Now she’s not safe for work. (Though if your office is as sparsely populated as mine today, you could probably get away with watching hardcore Eskimo porn. If you were into hardcore Eskimo porn.)
Construction Update: Museum Tower
Today’s update on the construction at Museum Tower is brought by Courtney Foreman.
As promised, I am back this week with an update on Museum Tower’s construction progress. No doubt the dramatic climate conditions have affected work somewhat but overall development hasn’t been halted.
Things to Do in Dallas Tonight: Feb. 2
I’m thinking about investing in a toboggan. That, or turning my car into some sort of combination office/sauna. My house keeps losing power, and I’ve been reduced to wearing my furry earmuffs indoors.
Jokes aside, I bring you the unhappy news of various closings and cancellations. The DMA, the Crow Collection of Asian Art, and the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth are all closed for the second day in a row. The Dallas Market Center is also closed, and the Attitudes and Attire Luncheon has been rescheduled for Friday, Feb. 4. If you’d planned to catch The Lieutenant of Inishmore tonight, well, sorry. The performance is canceled, and the theatre will contact ticket holders to exchange dates.
The good news (and there is always good news, people) (more…)
Super Bowl XLV Media Party Honors Jenkins, Luksa, and Summerall
The Old 97's
A few of us attended the Super Bowl Media Party at the House of Blues. As Glenn mentioned, it cost $30 to park. But to avoid having to walk across any more ice than was necessary, I was more than willing to pay. By the time I got there at 9:15, the place was already busy. The people handing out programs at the door said they were getting quite the rush and the constant opening and closing of doors was causing the entrance to be freezing.
Petty Theft was playing in the Cambridge Room and Emerald City was playing in the Music Hall. Multiple stations serving chicken and waffles, cornbread, ribs the size of your actual rib, and banana pudding were situated throughout. I talked to one of the guys at Man Up Texas BBQ (the people who selected the vendors), and he said that things turned out a lot better than he had expected earlier that day. Eight out of the 10 vendors showed, one coming from as far away as Lockhart.
A Report on the Mean Streets of East Dallas
Thanks to everyone for their prayers. I made it into work safely. The drive to downtown from the east side of White Rock — down Garland, then Ross — was actually pretty easy. In spots the ice did cover the road, but, for the most part, two ruts of dry pavement ran clear through the ice the entire journey. Folks are driving carefully, keeping it under about 25 mph. If you can stay home today, may as well. But if you need to get into work, you’ll be fine.
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