Articles for March 10th, 2011

Ed Okpa Throws His Hat Into Mayoral Ring

Ed Okpa is now officially a candidate in the Dallas mayoral race. He’s not only the sole minority candidate, he’s probably the smartest. In 2007, I helped moderate a mayoral forum (yes, someone made a mistake). Okpa was a candidate then, too. Here’s what I wrote after seeing him in action:

Edward Okpa needs to run for City Council. This guy is really smart, though you wouldn’t know it from looking at his disaster of a campaign site. For instance, nowhere on his site does it even mention the guy’s biographical info. Came here 21 years ago from Nigeria. Started as a busboy. Got a degree from Harvard. Became the head appraiser for the FDIC’s central region. Started his own company (which he refuses to run with a minority-owned business designation). I mean, you start talking about how to rejuvenate a neighborhood and build a tax base and encourage development, this guy has ideas. He’s got figures. He’s actually going to talk over the heads of most of the people in the room. Which is his problem. That, and that no one knows who he is. Google his name and “Harvard” and “Dallas.” You don’t get much. So that’s it. He needs to start in the Council and build some political capital. Keep an eye on this man.

Want to know more about the guy? Here’s a little ditty our D CEO did on him last year.

posted by Tim Rogers | March 10th, 2011 1:13pm | filed under Local News | 2 Comments »

Ron Chapman’s Modest Proposal for School Reform

With so many “challenges” in the local schools—from funding formulas and budget crunches to possible layoffs, not to mention test scores and dropout rates–why do we keep approaching education the same way our grandparents and great-grandparents did? Who’s to say, in other words, that one teacher standing in front of a classroom of 20 (or 30 or 40) students is still the most effective way of teaching in today’s hyper-wired world?

That’s what our old friend Ron Chapman has been pondering, and it led the legendary Dallas broadcaster to brainstorm a modest proposal. Namely: Why aren’t we identifying the very best teachers–the cream of the crop, those who truly motivate and inspire–and then training a camera on them and feeding their wisdom and energy to kids throughout the districts, teleconference-style?

“Today’s students do not relate to someone standing in front of a room writing in chalk,” Chapman says. “They talk to each other through a screen. So, put the [greatest] teachers on an iPad or iPhone or flat screen, with a ‘teacher’s assistant’ in the room, and the teacher shortage is over. It’s [a two-way] ‘Go to Meeting,’ where everyone is seen and heard.” (more…)

posted by Glenn Hunter | March 10th, 2011 12:21pm | filed under Education, Local News, Media | 34 Comments »

Things to Do in Dallas Tonight: March 10

I woke up this morning thinking it was Friday. Not only have I been disabused of that notion, but I’ve also managed to pour hot coffee on my foot. Good thing there’s enough going on tonight to distract me from the caffeinated death of my poor Italian leather shoes.

First up, Scardello is hosting their popular Cheese 101 class, which provides attendees with the basics of tasting and pairing. If the cheese is truly the best you’ve ever had (inspiring odes, revelations, a chorus of singing animals, etc.), whip out your smartphone and vote for the shop in our Best of Big D food and drink poll. On a related note, voting ends this weekend, people, so don’t delay. No voting, no complaining.

Two worthy theater options are competing for attention this evening. Choose between the final performance of Eugène Ionesco’s absurdist play, The Lesson, at the Out of the Loop Fringe Festival, or the opening night of Horton Foote’s Talking Pictures at True West in Fort Worth. Which one you see depends on your sensibilities, but since Talking Pictures will run through early April, I’d go with what’s behind door number one. FrontRow’s M. Lance Lusk declares The Lesson an OOTL standout.

Finally, the 35 Conferette music fest kicks off in downtown Denton tonight. Sarah Jaffe and the Pains of Being Pure at Heart are on the outdoor main stages one and two, respectively, but there are continuous concerts happening all over, including a midnight set from Seryn at Dan’s Silverleaf.

For more things to do with your Thursday evening, go here.

posted by Liz Johnstone | March 10th, 2011 11:40am | filed under Best of Big D, Music, Things to Do in Dallas | (0) Comments »

Quick Clarification: Nick Van Exel is NOT Running for Senate

Yeah, yeah — I know. I know. But I have to point this out, because when I went on that rant yesterday about Tom Leppert, I mentioned (jokingly) the possibility of a Van Exel campaign and someone asked. If you want to know what Van Exel is actually up to, he’s an assistant with the Atlanta Hawks. Since I’m here, here is a short grainy clip of Van Exel in some random regular season game against the Knicks, with non-English commentary, because this is exactly what the internet is for.

posted by Zac Crain | March 10th, 2011 9:57am | filed under GOOD IDEAS, Politics, Sports | 3 Comments »

Ebby’s 100th Birthday Cake Was a Feast

Ebby's birthday cake

Ebby's birthday cake

Ebby Halliday’s 100th birthday celebration at the Meyerson was a once in a lifetime occasion with top-drawer guests, international entertainment and stellar decorations.

One of the most amazing highlights was Ebby’s birthday cake that was in the lobby following the concert. Featuring a moving train at the bottom, ukulele on top and assortment of circus critters, it was a marvel to see but inedible.

Oh, well, you can’t have everything.

posted by Jeanne Prejean | March 10th, 2011 9:19am | filed under Entertainment, Events, History | 5 Comments »

Leading Off (3/10/11)

Dallas Ranked Seventh Angriest City in U.S. Contributing factors to this include — you know what? I’m tired of spelling everything out for you jerks.

Mavericks Cough Up Late Lead, Lose to Hornets. New Orleans finished the game on an 8-0 run, thanks in part to a really dumb foul by Jason Kidd and a passel of missed free throws by Tyson Chandler. It’s something like the millionth loss in a row in NOLA for the Mavs. I don’t have the actual number in front of me, so you’ll have to do with my educated guess. Okay? I’M SORRY I CAN’T BE PERFECT LIKE ALL OF YOU.

Man Wrongly Imprisoned For Nine Days in Name Mix-Up. Francisco Daniel Romero is someone who deserves to be angry. Accused of a decade-old murder after a traffic stop and jailed, even though detectives had a photo of the real suspect. And you can be angry, too, if you live in Arlington, because you will be helping the APD pay for the mistake when the inevitable, and understandable, lawsuit happens.

Hit & Run on Henderson Avenue Caught on Tape. The surveillance video is crazy. Because, like the blunt commentariat point out, she just walks into traffic, and there seemed to be a considerable amount, all going around the speed limit. I feel horrible for the woman who was hit. I really, really do. And the driver should have stopped. Obviously. Obviously. But I have to say this: crosswalks aren’t magic. I, too, like to think of paint on asphalt as a sort of forcefield, usually when I’m bored or I’ve had a few, but it’s just not true.

posted by Zac Crain | March 10th, 2011 7:31am | filed under Local News | 2 Comments »