Articles for April 13th, 2011
Behind the Scenes at Bush Institute Confab
Watching the personalities involved with the George W. Bush Institute’s two-day, 4% Project conference at SMU was as interesting as listening to all the talk about ways to jump-start the economy. (For a rundown on what was said, go here.)
Karl Rove, for example, worked the rooms like a Rotary Club president running for re-election. He paused long enough to tell us that Donald Trump–who Rove said had some promise in the GOP presidential field as a “plainspoken outsider businessman”–has blown his chances now with all the “birther” talk and his threats to run as an independent.
Rangers Lose to Detroit, 3-2
Rangers just lost to Detroit, 3-2. We can blame this guy, or this guy, or both. Sound off in the comments.
Dallas County Prisoner Escapes at Parkland
So, all those times on some old TV show, when a prisoner uses the old pretend-to-be-sick gag to escape the guards, that’s not so ridiculous. It actually does happen:
Police believe that Affante faked a seizure, chest pains, and difficulty breathing at the jail. The jail sent him to Parkland in an ambulance. He was unhancuffed for treatment, police said.
While being taken in a wheel chair for an X-ray early Wednesday, Affante jumped up and ran, police said. A Dallas police officer was not able to catch him.
(Via DMN Crime blog)
RealPoints Blog Dominates D Empire
Our new commercial real estate blog, RealPoints, has only been up and running for two full business days, and it’s already generating more traffic than FrontBurner and SideDish. Son of a biscuit!
Crain, it’s time to start undermining that thing. What’s your plan?
Free Tickets to Granada’s Girls Night Out-Marina and the Diamonds Show
Boys/men/dudes, the name of this evening’s entertainment is slightly misleading. You can come too! Enter to win a pair of tickets to tonight’s Marina and the Diamonds performance.
Obviously, I like her a lot.
Dallas Symphony Orchestra COO Paul Stewart Resigns
Paul Stewart
Bill Lively has not officially joined the Dallas Symphony Orchestra full time as the main man and already change is in the air. Friday a last-minute meeting was canceled leading many to speculate that it had to do with DSO COO Paul Stewart.
This morning Paul turned in his resignation.
DSO Director of Communications Christy Crytzer Pierce just emailed that, “At this time, we will not be seeking someone to fill the COO position.”
Things to Do in Dallas Tonight: April 13
Good news, everyone. You can now own a piece of the Empire State Building. Wonder how many piggy banks you’d have to break for the privilege. I’m guessing a lot. And while we’re on the subject of marijuana, my friend from Staten Island sent me this article about a massive raid that uncovered an operation worth $10 million dollars a year. Please note that this is not the preferred way to fund your venture into prime Manhattan real estate.
All this hilarity makes me think that today is going to be pretty great. Here’s another reason why: Marina Diamandis is in town for a show at the Granada, part of a themed evening out for the fairer sex (gentlemen, I’m sure you’re still invited). You might know her better as Marina and the Diamonds, a Welsh singer/songwriter, and perhaps recognize more popular songs like “I Am Not a Robot” and “Oh No.” Local electro group Ishi will open, so anyone planning to unleash some radical dance moves can get in a good warm-up.
The folks at the Granada tell us that not only are there still tickets left, but that this is pretty much your last chance to see Marina perform in a smaller venue. She’s going on tour with Katy Perry this summer, which means big impersonal arenas all the way. Check out her stuff on Hype Machine, and then give the Hoodie Allen remix, “You Are Not a Robot” a listen. You’ll fall in love, guaranteed. And if you don’t, I may call you a fun-sucking curmudgeon, but feel free to send any and all complaints my way.
If this all adds up to a pretty good time, keep your eye on FrontBurner – we’ll be giving away a free pair of tickets. If the show doesn’t fit your groove, not to worry. For more things to do tonight, including a Dallas Uncorked champagne celebration (it’s for charity), go here.
Marijuana ‘Dispensary’ at University of North Texas
Not really, but those crazy kids in Denton did set up a little cardboard shack promoting the benefits of cannabis at a recent Habitat For Humanity fundraiser on the campus, reports Toke of the Town. The effort was launched by the UNT outpost of the National Organization for Reform of Marijuana Laws, led by chapter president Danielle Farley, to highlight their push to change the school’s policy towards marijuana possession:
UNT NORML meets this week with the Student Government Association in an effort to change the UNT Policy for first-time possession of marijuana to the same punishment as the first-time possession of alcohol.
“Marijuana has been proven, after all, to be a safer alternative to alcohol,” Farley said. “It’s time that North Texans learn the truth about marijuana.”
“Every objective study on marijuana has concluded that it is FAR safer than alcohol,” Farley said. “Yet most of the nation’s colleges and universities punish students far more for using marijuana than for using alcohol. In doing so, they are sending a dangerous message that fosters and perpetuates a ‘culture of alcohol’ on campuses nationwide, and drives students to drink rather than make the rational, safer choice to use marijuana instead.”
The Worst Dirk Nowitzki Highlight Package You Will Ever See
Seriously. This is billed as “Dirk Nowitzki’s Top 10 Plays of the 2011 Season,” but jeez, you guys. FOUR of the plays are just Dirk shooting a three-pointer. An open three-pointer. Granted, the last one tied a game, but that’s still pretty lazy. Step yo game up, NBA.
Mayoral Candidate Woobies: A Guide
If you have followed the mayoral race at all, you have no doubt seen a picture of former Dallas police chief David Kunkle with a copy of Jim Collins’ Good to Great. He carries it everywhere. Kunkle, as he mentions often, was picked to be in the documentary based on the best-selling leadership book. It is his wooby. It also acts as shorthand for who he is. Do the other candidates have something like that? I’m still typing, aren’t I?
Mike Rawlings: never without a piping-hot large Meat Lover’s® Pizza from Pizza Hut.
Ron Natinsky: a copy of D Magazine‘s January 2011 issue, with “Ron Natinsky will be the next mayor of Dallas” underlined in pink Hi-Liter.
UPDATE (10:07 am): Edward Okpa just hit my pager. He’s miffed he wasn’t included.
The Welfare Queens of Texas, Part II
Rep. Lon Burnam of Fort Worth joins me in wondering why the natural gas industry gets a pass on paying taxes – to the tune of $2.4 billion — while we are cutting education funds for their (and everyone else’s) future workers.
Wild Hogs on Rampage in Fort Worth Neighborhood!
Here’s the story. After the jump, what to look for. Be safe people!
This 2-Year-Old Is Cooler Right Now Than You Will Ever Be
I’m going to put this up here because, at the end, the DJ back-announces that they’re listening to K104. So I’m going to assume from that they are in Dallas. Mostly so I can post this. (via)
Leading Off (4/13/11)
Reigning American League MVP Josh Hamilton Injured. He hurt his arm trying to score from third on a pop-up in foul territory. Wait — what? I’m sorry, that’s just about the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard, especially because third base coach Dave Anderson told him to go, especially because the Rangers constantly seem to be trying to figure out ways to protect him. Anyway, it’s okay, Hamilton will probably be back sooGAHHHH he broke his arm and will be out six-to-eight weeks? COME ON.
Council to Vote on Potential New Auto Salvage Yard. Why is it a big deal? Because it will be near, kind of, the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge. Do you care? I feel like you might not.
City Council Hopeful Billy MacLeod Will Sue to Move Polling Location. He has a point. He’s running against Pauline Medrano. The polling location is at Esperanza “Hope” Medrano Elementary School, which is named for her mother. It’s like when I ran for mayor and everyone had to vote at People Who Actually Were Allowed on the Ballot Middle School.
Orbitz Ready to Fight American Airlines in Court. This all has to do with AA not selling tickets through Orbitz anymore because the airline doesn’t like paying commissions. Orbitz says it is “leaving open all possible options to seek relief from American Airlines’ predatory actions.” OH NO THEY DINT.
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