Articles for February, 2011
Immigration Not a Factor in Dallas Income Drop
Last week I noted that personal income in Dallas dropped 5% on average during the 2000’s. I theorized that immigration had to be one factor (the other is the aging of the Texas population). Conservative economist Tyler Cowen has recently published a well-reviewed new book, The Great Stagnation, on incomes and the U.S. economy. Today he posted citations on his excellent website (scroll down) showing immigration is not a factor.
Future DFW Super Bowls Already On Ice?
Sure, it’s only Tuesday and the big game’s not until Sunday. But already North Texas Super Bowl planners are facing the nightmare scenario they’ve worried about from the get-go: a major-league ice storm that creates chaos, snarling transportation and knocking out pre-game activities. That’s what happened in Atlanta in 2000, and the game hasn’t been back to the Georgia Dome since. If Jerry’s angling for multiple repeat performances–starting in 2016–it doesn’t help when a Green Bay Packer ferchrissake says it’s too darned cold in North Texas.
Win Tickets to XLV Party
Well, assuming they can get the tents back up, the XLV Party will still be on, and you can be there. We’re giving away 300 (yes, 300) tickets to this weekend’s party. We’ve mentioned it before, but in case you don’t remember, this is a party that’s happening at the Cotton Bowl on Friday and Saturday (as Prejean noted, it’s no longer happening on Thursday).
All you have to do to win is answer this question: what two famous people are in photos on Tim’s desk? Fill out the registration form (after the jump) and enjoy the party.
First Super Bowl Freezer Casualty — Tent at the Cotton Bowl
Thanks to the snow, sleet and “stuff,” the middle of the Cotton Bowl’s mammoth tent just caved. The crews are on the scene trying to figure how to recover the situation for the nights of scheduled parties.
At least they won’t have to worry about getting it erect for the Thursday night concert with the Village People. It was canceled due to only 13 tickets being sold.
UPDATE: Here is video thanks to WFAA of the downed tent.
Allyn Media Scoreboards Cowboys Stadium Protesters
The folks over at Allyn Media have themselves a blog. For the next couple of days, they’re posting stories thereon from back in the day, when they worked on the campaign to bring the Death Star to Arlington. Fight through the horrible white text on black background, and read this post about the time Allyn tricked some protesters to keep them away from Paul Tagliabue. That’s the sort of strategy the big bucks get you.
Things to Do in Dallas Tonight: Feb. 1
Okay, people. You have a choice to make. You can hide from the scary cold white stuff and catch up on your Netflix, or you can (carefully) brave the elements and get cozy with a bunch of strangers. The Tokyo Police Club show at the Granada should do the trick.
And while many galleries and museums are closed today, including the DMA, the tenacious crew members of Mamma Mia have already arrived at Bass Performance Hall to set up for tonight’s performance. The Angelika Dallas, which was shuttered this morning, will reopen in time for all 1 pm shows. Dueling Best Picture nominees The Social Network and The King’s Speech are both playing, so check out reviews here and here. Feel like a wimp for staying home from work yet?
Our friends over at SideDish posted this yesterday about a Texas wine chat happening via Twitter tonight. Sounds like the perfect opportunity to have your own “tasting” and maybe get inspired to make your vino habit more eco-friendly by drinking local. Bonus: you don’t even have to leave your couch.
Snowshoe this way for more options, unless you’ve been bitten by the Super Bowl bug. For all things football, go here. Beware of weather cancellations, so give venues a call before you head out.
Troy Spotting: At Eddie V’s
Troy Aikman was spotted dining at Eddie V’s last night, sitting in a corner booth with two men and a woman. Not even the restaurant staff recognized Troy’s companions. What’s your best guess? FOX sports execs? Friends or family? Divorce attorneys?
Celebrity Beach Ball May Have to Chill
For some reason, the DirecTV event on the outskirts of Victory Plaza seems coldly out of place this morning.
Luckily, the forecast for the celebrity event on Saturday is predicted to be a scorching 52 degrees.
Things to Do in Dallas to Celebrate Super Bowl XLV: The Best Parties, Concerts, Art Shows, and Quasi-Celebrity Flag Football and Bowling Tournaments
I’m a bad Texan. I do not care enough about football to muster up much enthusiasm for the actual ‘game’ part of Super Bowl weekend. Whether you’re a local or just visiting, these are the (at least somewhat) related events worth your while in the days leading up the Biggest Day in Professional Football in the Biggest Freaking Stadium, Ever. And if you are new to Dallas, don’t miss our Super Bowl Visitors Guide.
Go
The NFL Experience at the Dallas Convention Center is an affordable not-quite-alternative to the astronomical cost of tickets to the actual main event. This gigantic, week-long festival featuring interactive games, locker-room style chats with NFL coaches, and football clinics, continues right on up until kickoff on Sunday. Can’t make it during the day? On Thursday, the experience is open until 11:45 pm.
Construction Update: The Park
Remember yesterday when snow and ice weren’t everywhere? Think back to that as you read about Katie Minchew’s tour of The Park, which she took on a warmer day.
You may think that in order to build a park you would only need to plan the layout, the landscaping, and the equipment. At least, that’s what I thought before my meeting with Keith Bjerke, project manager for The Park. As Bjerke and I toured, we came across a man with a hardhat standing over a hole on the side of the access road. There was a large yellow tube sticking out of the hole that connected to this large yellow machine. I was intrigued.
Kunkle and Dodd: How It All Began
It’s cold and icy outside. You’re likely stuck at home. So here’s a hot and steamy story from our January 2007 issue to warm your bones (not to mention the cockles of your heart). “The Police Chief and Reporter” reminds us how Sarah Dodd and David Kunkle initially got their groove on. Enjoy.
Jeb Hensarling Hates Public Health Care — Except When He Uses It
On January 18, the Dallas Congressman made this statement on the House floor before voting to repeal Obamacare:
“The American people don’t want it. It’s personal. Here’s my story, two days ago, I was in San Antonio, Texas, and my mother had a large tumor removed from her head. They wheeled her away at 7:20 in the morning, and by noon, I was talking to her along with the rest of our family. It proved benign, thanks to a lot of prayers and good doctors at the Methodist hospital in San Antonio. My mother’s fine. I’m not sure that would be the outcome in Canada, the U.K., or anywhere in Europe.
“No disrespect to our President, but when it comes to the health of my mother, I don’t want this President or any President or his bureaucrat or commissions making decisions for my loved ones. Let’s repeal it today, replace it tomorrow.”
More than a week ago, I called Hensarling’s office and asked two questions: (1) Is his mother on Medicare? (2) How much did she pay out-of-pocket for the procedure?
Happy Icepopalypse To All!
I will admit: I did not believe in Icepopalypse 2011 last night. I was pretty certain that I would get to my car today, drive to work slowly, avoid the High 5, and laugh at Pete Delkus and his rolled up shirtsleeves.
But then, lo, around midnightish, I woke up to the sound of Mardi Gras beads hitting the bedroom window. Only it wasn’t Mardi Gras beads. It was ice. And when I woke up again at 4 a.m., all I could see was white on the ground, and stuff coming down from the sky.
So for the record:
– Beer and rye whisky are the same is bread, because all are made of grains — unless you’re trying to make a PB&J.
– A sled is the better option for the High Five than a Cadillac Escalade.
– Pants are optional when you work from home. In fact, clothes are optional.
– Brad Watson somehow got out of having to actually go anywhere in Dallas to do the “OMG look, there’s totes ice on the ground” reports, and just basically walked out the door of the WFAA downtown office and stood there.
– If you’re a boss and you’re requiring your workers to come in to work, make sure the parking lot has not been rendered a hockey rink, and if it has, get it sanded and cleared. But really, if you’re a boss, you should go look at the closures. Every single school district is closed. Dallas ISD — for the love of Pete — is closed. That never happens. Just give your employees the day off and make your coffee Irish already.
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