Articles for February, 2011
Leppert Leap Affects Mayor’s Office—and Senate Race?
Big Bob scooped the DMN with news that Tom Leppert will resign as Dallas mayor, effective Friday, and has plans to make another announcement soon. Meantime, Ron Paul just raked in $700,000 with a so-called “money bomb,” and says he’ll decide within a few months whether to run for president or U.S. Senate. Suddenly the race to succeed Dallas’ Kay Bailey Hutchison seems more interesting and, apparently, the Arthur and Archie Show is about to begin.
Zac Crain Finds Second Career
A FrontBurnervian whose work responsibilities earlier today took him to MPS Studios sends along the below photo of one Zac Crain preparing to deliver what appears to be an on-camera performance. Zac? Care to explain yourself? What’s this side gig you got going?
Things to Do in Dallas Tonight: Feb. 23
The office is pretty sad today, and not just because it’s so gloomy out. ShopTalk’s Raya is missing her adorable little puppy. He’s a black and white dachshund, about a year old, with sweet brown eyes. Answers to “Hank.” If you see him running loose in North Dallas (near 75 and Forest), let me know.
Moving right along. It’s a little unfortunate that despite producing hoards of his own environmental films and documentaries, Jean-Michel Cousteau is still mostly just famous for having a famous father — the late great ocean explorer Jacques-Yves Cousteau, with whom he notoriously did not always get along. Jacques even went so far as to sue Jean-Michel in 1996, just a year before his death. But apparently that’s all water under the boat (laugh, people), because Jean-Michel is paying tribute to dear old Dad tonight at the Winspear. I’ll see you guys there.
Calling all film buffs. The Texas Black Film Festival kicks off this afternoon at the Studio Movie Grill in Dallas. Screenings and events will continue through Saturday, but I’m most intrigued by the ultra-affordable filmmaker workshops. Have you looked at the cost of film school lately? For $8 a pop, these workshops are a bargain. In addition, don’t miss the chance to support local talent with a series devoted to movies produced right here in Texas. Tonight only, 8 pm.
For more ways to spice up your Wednesday evening, including a PETA-protested appearance by Kim Kardashian at the Galleria and a delicious-sounding beer dinner at Libertine Bar, go here.
Baltimore Gets Drugs From Dallas
A former Dallas-dwelling FrontBurnervian points out to a story in Baltimore’s City Paper about two guys there who were nabbed for trafficking drugs for a cartel. The story really begins in Dallas, though (and Midlothian). Happy to help you get high, guys. You’re welcome. Don’t mention it. Really.
Leading Off (2/23/11)
Tom Leppert To Step Down as Mayor Today. With Leppert gone, I, for one, can’t wait to see what Dwaine Caraway does as mayor. Pretty much everything is on the table. (Ron Price is probably mad I just said that.)
C.J. Wilson Named Opening Day Starter. Pretty obvious choice by Ron Washington. His quote — “He took the ball and did the job. He never backed down. He battled all year for us.” — is a little disappointing. Anyway. #claw
Devin Harris Rumored To Be Coming Back to Mavericks. If it’s anything like the deal the Mavs reportedly already turned down — Caron Butler, Dominique Jones, and a first round pick — ugh. If it’s for essentially free, maybe. That said, Jason Terry is not a fan: “Making a move now doesn’t make sense,” he said on ESPN radio.
State Rep. Rafael Anchia Introduces a Bill Calling for Sunset Review of North Texas Tollway Authority. The NTTA would have to prove its worth, which, based on anecdotal evidence, would seem to be impossible. Anchia is a true American hero.
Construction Update: Dallas City Performance Hall
Lisa Collins has this week’s construction update.
Once completed, the Dallas City Performance Hall will serve as a home for the dozens of performing arts organizations in Dallas with no official performance space. The building’s massive concrete walls have taken up the majority of construction efforts since its groundbreaking. The concrete walls must be poured on-site, so the freezing temperatures put a hold on construction.
Although remedies exist, such as adding hot water or using a heating element beneath, those treatments can be costly, especially for a city-funded project on a tight budget.
Despite the minor setback, McCarthy employees worked weekends to make up for lost time and are currently in coordination meetings to get back on schedule.
“This week is a big focus on getting our pours accomplished,” said McCarthy’s project manager Wesley Moncrief. “We’re hitting our dates on what we want to pour, permitting the weather’s good for us.” —Lisa Collins
Advice to Senate Hopeful Leppert: Save Your Money
UPDATE: Lela Pittenger of Driftwood wrote to say I erred here calling Elizabeth Ames Jones the only woman running in the GOP Senate primary. Pittenger is also a candidate.
The Dwaine Caraway flap that Tim mentioned this morning isn’t the only issue that could haunt Tom Leppert’s U.S. Senate bid, which, if the experts prove correct, may be taking center stage soon. Just as Sarah Palin was called a quitter for failing to complete her Alaska governor’s term, Leppert could be viewed similarly, adding insult to injury in his case by leaving a guy like Caraway in charge.
But another, maybe bigger, millstone around Leppert’s neck is Washington Mutual bank, which he served as a director while it was becoming the biggest failed U.S. bank ever. It’s believed the FDIC may soon bring litigation against Washington-based WaMu, which specialized in the type of super-risky ARM home loans that played a big role in the economic crash. Daily headlines about that would give Leppert’s opponents some nice ammunition. After all, directors do–or at least should–bear some responsibility for a company’s actions.
These Achilles’ heels aside, the Dallas mayor would also bring a few pluses to a potential Senate run.
Things to Do in Dallas Tonight: Feb. 22
I love vanity license plates. I’d never get one, but I’m continuously fascinated by how dumb most of them are. Prime example: the Mercedes I saw yesterday on my way home with the plate “MBENZ.” Duh.
Anyway, this morning I followed a dusty lime green Beetle with the vanity plate “Ecosse” for a good stretch of highway. Turns out that Écosse is not only the French word for Scotland, but could also refer to an old Scottish Formula One racing team. Intended or not, I appreciate someone who uses their vanity plate to drop some knowledge. Unlike this guy. The funniest part is that it’s on a Ford Focus.
Speaking of knowledge, did you know that the Gipsy Kings don’t actually sing entirely in Spanish? It’s a dialect called Gitane, a mix of French, Catalan, and Spanish. Hear them do their flamenco thing tonight at the Meyerson and then celebrate National Margarita Day at Jorge’s Tex-Mex right down the street. The restaurant is offering free boozy samples from 1 pm ’til close.
Other NMD festivities: Hacienda on Henderson is pretty much unbeatable with $2 margaritas every single Tuesday, holiday or not. If you feel like making your own at home, SideDish has you covered.
And there’s your evening, folks. As always, find many more things to do tonight right here.
Leading Off (2/22/11)
Dwaine Caraway Will Be Dallas’ Next Mayor. Interesting story about how some on the City Council tried to oust Caraway as mayor pro tem so that he won’t get the big office when Tom Leppert steps down early (which the smart money says he will). You can guess why the ouster failed. Yup. Racial politics. And accompanying the story is a sidebar of Caraway’s greatest missteps. I’m going from memory here, but I think Rudy Bush overlooked one. Didn’t Caraway get engaged to his current wife but neglect to tell her he was still married? I can’t wait for this guy to run a City Council meeting. We’re in for a treat.
Dallas County To Get Hosed by Redistricting. Preliminary Census figures suggest that we will lose two seats in the state House. Come on, people. This is unacceptable. I want everyone to go home tonight and redouble your copulative efforts. We need babies!
Sex Offender Gets Pwned. Michael Grogg walked into the North Richland Hills police department with his head bleeding. While it’s not entirely clear what happened, it sure seems like Grogg got what he had coming to him.
Petland at Preston Forest Assaulted by Car
An alert FrontBurnervian sends along this image, taken moments ago at the Preston Forest Petland. Cop on the scene said there were no injuries.
How Many Vegan Pancakes Could You Eat?
Oak Cliff’s Spiral Diner held its third annual vegan-pancake-eating contest yesterday afternoon. Oak Cliff People produced two of the 10 competitors, but, alas, not the winner. Read more here.
Things to Do in Dallas Tonight: Feb. 21
Welcome back to a week of special occasions. Today is President’s Day, tomorrow is National Margarita Day, and to top it all off, Facebook tells me that at least six random people I don’t know are turning one year older. Guess which one of these I’m most excited about.
It also happens to be National Engineers Week. The Museum of Nature and Science kicks off their five day celebration today with kid-friendly activities and demonstrations. Learn how a cable signal works (which might come in handy the next time you have to yell at Time Warner) or how to make a mini-motor out of household items we all have lying around our humble abodes. There’s also a robot, which I’m interested in teaching to pick up these “household items.”
If you’re feeling up for some theater, check out Nouveau 47’s interpretation of Measure for Measure at the Magnolia Lounge in Fair Park. Tickets are ten bucks, which means you really can’t go wrong whether or not you agree with our FrontRow review. Hit the Meridian Room before or after the show for jalapeño soup and drinks.
For more things to do tonight, including two delicious-sounding wine dinners, you’ll want to click here.
Law Man Walking: Nature Treks With Bill Holston
Another dispatch from the field in an occasional series from our friend Bill Holston.
Walking and Volunteerism, or Why Privet is the Devil
The book that has most influenced me in the area of learning about nature is Roy Bedichek’s Adventures of a Texas Naturalist. One of my favorite pieces of public art is the statue of Roy Bedichek, Walter Prescott Webb, and Frank Dobie at Barton Springs. Since reading that book several years ago, I’ve been inspired to learn more detail about this Texas environment I live in. In addition, I turn 55 this year, and I’m determined to be someone who is a life-long learner. I finally did something about that. Last week, I started the process to become a certified Master Naturalist. The Texas Master Naturalist volunteer program is coordinated by the Texas AgriLife Extension Service and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. The Mission is:
“[T]o develop a corps of well-informed volunteers to provide education, outreach and service dedicated to the beneficial management of natural resources and natural areas within their communities.” Or, as the Texas statewide organization puts it, a master naturalist is “someone who’s NOT afraid of digging in the dirt and slogging through the mud while giving back to the community.”
In order to become certified as a Master Naturalist, you must complete a 40-hour training program, a minimum of eight hours of approved advanced training, and complete a minimum of 40 hours of chapter-approved volunteer service. The lecture topics include: Ecological Concepts, Ecosystem Management, Ecological Regions of Texas, Geology and Soils, Wetland Ecology and Management,, Forest Ecology and Management, Ornithology (birds), Herpetology (reptiles), Entomology (insects), Urban Systems, Weather and Climate, Ichthyology, Mammology, Botany, and Hydrology.
Leading Off (2/21/11)
Laid Off Teachers Would Have Nowhere to Run: Some estimates say that the state will lose upwards of 100,000 jobs as a result of budget cuts, but with job losses expected across the state, and other states following suit, many out-of-work teachers will not be able to find new jobs.
Residents Accused of Torching Apartments to Collect Red Cross Money: If we ever do a “Worst of Dallas” issue (suggested topics and winners welcomed in the comments) we now have a clear frontrunner for worst neighbors. Seven people are accused of setting fire to two apartment complexes so that they could collect upwards of $5,500 in financial assistant from the Red Cross.
Four Drivers Fight NTTA on Absurd Toll Fees: I’m not sure whether the plaintiffs challenging the NTTA on the ridiculous, abominable, out-of-proportion, near-extortionary fees the agency tacks onto late charges will be able to win their day in court. But something has to be done to rein in the fees. In what other situation can an organization add a fee to a charge that is upwards of 1,800 percent greater than the original cost of service?
Banana Bunches Invade Uptown, Then Split
Spotting some of these characters walking three or four abreast on McKinney Avenue 
from behind last night, it looked for a split second like the KKK was making a Dallas comeback. Then you noticed that the costumes were yellow, not white, and were actually meant to depict “bananas,” not to cloak white racists.
Seems a bunch of the bananas congregated at Uptown Pub (pictured in photo by Jeanne Prejean), where a guy who answered the phone today said he thinks the stunt was part of a pub crawl organized via e-blast. “Last week they had a ‘Snuggie’ crawl,” he said, laughing. “I guess if they can organize Egypt, they can organize a ‘banana’ crawl.”
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