Articles for March 28th, 2011
D Magazine Logo Gets Airtime on 90.1 KERA
On Friday, we got some great pub on 90.1 KERA. Fridays are when Jeff Whittington hosts Anything You Ever Wanted to Know. The first question last week was “What’s the big red D sign that recently went up on that building downtown?” Jeff, of course, initially thought it was a prank (remind me to tell you about the time I tricked him into wearing a suit and tie to a Mavs game). But when it became clear that the question was sincere, Whittington answered it fully, even saying that the magazine had the top two floors of the building.
At which point the caller said, “Oh, I never read that magazine. But thanks.”
Jeff tells me he had to work hard to stifle his laugh.
The Dallas Must-Do List: Sam Moon Shopping
Courtney found a place to camp out for awhile.
Moving right along, I’ve now done 5 of the Things Every Dallasite Must Do. The next item on my list: Mix it up at Sam Moon.
Sam Moon is no joking matter. I know I’ve heard people talk about how big it is and how much stuff it has to offer, but — WOW — even I was impressed. Being an avid shopper at Forever 21 stores all across the area, I thought I was going to be prepared for the hectic, jam-packed ways of Sam Moon. I was wrong.
The store’s flagship location in Dallas has purses, earrings, necklaces, rings, luggage, and as if that weren’t enough, an entire section on faux hair. A security guard sits at the front and monitors what seems like thousands of women packing the inside of this mega store.
Although a little overpowering at first glance, the store is actually (somewhat) organized by large hanging signs clarifying what section you are in. It’s easy to get confused when first walking in, but after the initial anxiety wears off, it’s really not too bad.
A crucial part of the Sam Moon shopping experience (more…)
Things to Do in Dallas Tonight: March 28
Good morning, all. The New York Times paywall goes up at 1 pm CT this afternoon. Have you finished reading everything yet? Of course, there are ways to circumvent it (and you get 20 free articles per four week period), but support the news you love. A metaphorically starving writer is a kinder, gentler creature than an actually starving one.
Anyway, if you missed the DTC’s excellent revival of Arsenic and Old Lace, I am sad for you. Betty Buckley sang. It was magnificent. Unfortunately, she won’t be singing anywhere tonight, but should you find yourself at the Modern in Fort Worth, you’ll find Buckley directing Story Songs, a series of three benefit concerts featuring members of her song interpretation workshop. Buckley has been doing these workshops for quite a few years now, and you don’t actually have to be an aspiring star to participate. You could be an investment banker. The whole idea is to learn to express yourself through songs from the emotionally expressive masters — namely, Stephen Sondheim and Jason Robert Brown. A little corny, but effective. I took the liberty of calling over, and tickets are still available for this evening. Gloria’s is a solid choice for dinner and drinks nearby.
If you want to stay closer to home, the DMA is hosting the first of their Texas Bound series, an evening of short stories written by Texas authors read by Texas actors. Tonight, Kirsten Vangsness (Criminal Minds) will read Miranda July’s The Swim Team, Isaiah Sheffer (founder and director of Symphony Space in New York) will read T.C. Boyle’s Rapture of the Deep, and Fionnula Flanagan (Transamerica, Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood) will read Ron Carlson’s Towel Season. As a bonus, present your ticket at any of the Arts District restaurants for a 10% discount.
For more things to do tonight, including a benefit concert for Japan at UNT, go here.
Who Evades Taxes in Texas?
I call them “the welfare queens of Texas,” and they include Barnett Shale drillers, coal producers, the insurance industry, and companies like Coca-Cola that bottle water. The House Ways and Means Commttee has identified them as the favored businesses that have special exemptions written into Texas law.
Meanwhile, homeowners carry 39 percent of the tax burden in the state.
No new taxes? If I were representing one of those businesses, I’d be singing that hymn louder than anyone else in the congregation.
William Murchison v. Paul Burka
TexMo senior executive editor Paul Burka was up late last night, thanks to William Murchison. Yesterday on Dallas Blog, Murchison wrote in support of Gov. Rick Perry’s efforts to reform UT. Along the way, he took a shot at Burka, who has argued against what he sees as the governor’s ideologically driven agenda. Murchison’s post went up at 7:06 p.m. Burka responded at 3:17 this morning, suggesting he felt a sense of urgency that I find hard to understand.
Paul, that thing ran on Dallas Blog. It’s not worth losing sleep over — literally.
Leading Off (3/28/11)
Two Dallas School Board Elections Unchallenged. For the first time since 1974, this May’s Dallas Independent School District election will be uncontested. Observers believe the crisis in state funding has scared away potential candidates, because who wants a job where you know you will have to fire tons of people?
DISD could lose $86 million to $150 million in state funding, under the latest estimates, as the state looks at significantly trimming education funding. Dallas trustees say they will have to make some tough decisions in the coming months that could cost hundreds of employees their jobs.
Trustee Edwin Flores said the budget situation likely didn’t inspire people to run.
“Nobody wants to be sitting at the table when we have to pull the trigger on the budget,” he said. “This budget deal is pretty overwhelming.”
Inmates Have Plenty of Bars. Everything that we have outside of prison is also available inside of prison. Case in point: a recent escape by an inmate from a Beaumont prison has cast new light on the number of cellphones in state and North Texas county jails. The phones are used to plan escape, keep drug operations running smoothly, and, you know, update Facebook.
Local Businesses Care More About Baseball This Year. Sweet, sweet baseball. Welcome back.
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