Articles for April, 2011
A D Magazine Guess-tigation: Holes in Yard Signs
First I noticed them in one of David Kunkle’s low-budge black-and-white yard signs on Gaston: two big holes on either side of the “FOR” in “KUNKLE FOR MAYOR” that looked like eyes. Then I noticed another Kunkle sign, this one on Mockingbird, had the same kind of holes. Then I saw one of city council candidate James Nowlin’s blue yard signs had two triangles sort of haphazardly cut out of them. This puzzled me for a time, and then during a bike ride, while I was almost being knocked over by the wind, I realized — that’s what the holes were for. To keep the signs from being blown over. I asked Tim about it. He confirmed my guess with his own guess.
Dear FrontBurnervians, already running out the shot clock on another gray day, are we right? (About this, at least. Don’t take that question too broadly. Tim is generally wrong, and I am hesitant to be painted with the same brush just because we sit near each other and I happened to include him in this post, when I could have easily lied and said I was talking about this with, I don’t know, Krista, I guess, or I could have just sort of glossed over the whole thing and said “a co-worker” or just left out that part entirely. I mean, it’s not like it is germane to the rest of the post. I included him because that’s how this all went down.)
Other Local Basketball Players Doing Good Basketball Things
Darrell Arthur of South Oak Cliff, y’all. (via.)
Leading Off (4/26/11)
Mavs Beat Blazers. The score was 93-82, and Tyson Chandler was a monster, with 13 offensive rebounds (and 20 overall). And here’s a tasty nugget from the Oregonian, a description of post-game action spurred by a hard screen set by Brian Cardinal in the waning seconds of the game: “Blazers guard Wesley Matthews sought out Cardinal after the game and had a few choice words for him at halfcourt, during which Mavericks reserve DeShawn Stevenson interjected. Matthews and Stevenson exchanged pointed expletives from about 10 feet apart before Stevenson was bear-hugged by a teammate and pushed toward the Dallas locker room.” You know it’s the playoffs when the expletives aren’t just expletives. They are pointed expletives.
Stars Closer to Sale. Vancouver businessman Tom Gaglardi has apparently agreed to a price for the team. Developing. In other Stars news, Shane Churla was arrested for a road rage incident. So there’s that.
Dwaine Caraway Does It Again! It’s been quiet up in Mayor Caraway’s office — too quiet. Thankfully, he’s done something silly again to break that silence. First he goes and praises payday lender ACE Cash Express, saying, “They are a very super corporate entity and has a very strong presence in my district … .” Then he slams mayoral candidate Mike Rawlings, who sits on the ACE board, calling him the “payday loan king” in a radio ad. Caraway’s explanation? When he praised ACE, he didn’t know they were in the payday loan business. I love this guy. Can we keep him?
More Details Emerge About Belo Executive’s Murder. You’ve probably heard the sad story about the murder of Belo Corp. executive Brian McIntosh. His wife, Adria Villarreal, is a psychologist at UTA. One of her former patients shot and killed McIntosh as he was picking up his 3-year-old daughter from daycare. Turns out, just hours before the murder Villarreal had told police that the former patient was following her, but there was nothing that could be done about it.
National Review Profiles Rick Perry
I read it. Twice (just like I read “Fed Up” twice). The takeaway? Rick Perry named his boots (Freedom and Liberty). That I get – I named my flip flops Tequila and Cherry Limeade. Other takeaway? The word crotchety is still so funny.
Bassett: Good Roles a “Struggle” Regardless of Race
Actress Angela Bassett was not about to get drawn into a spat between moviemakers Spike Lee and Tyler Perry over blacks in film. The tiff flared up recently when Perry took a potshot at Lee after Lee ripped Perry’s successful Madea comedy flicks for their supposedly unflattering representations of African-American culture. Said an article about the feud, and Perry’s popularity, on Tina Brown’s Daily Beast website: “Top [black] talent would surely prefer to have other options in film roles if they were available. They aren’t. Just ask Angela Bassett.”
In Dallas with the rest of the cast Saturday for a party celebrating T.D. Jakes’ new movie, Jumping the Broom, Bassett–who starred in Perry’s Meet the Browns–said finding good roles is “always a struggle” for any actor or actress, regardless of their color. “An actor always thinks there’s more” and better roles out there, added Bassett (shown in photo by Jeanne Prejean). “I’m my own unique individual, and I like what I like.” Bassett, who was nominated for an Academy Award for her portrayal of singer Tina Turner in 1993’s What’s Love Got To Do with It, said she’ll be playing Dr. Amanda Waller in Green Lantern, a new film due out in June, and also is set to star in Identity, an ABC-TV crime pilot.
City of Dallas Finds New Revenue Stream: Graffiti
A ticked-off FrontBurnervian sends along a picture with a story about how the city went after him to clean up graffiti on city property. The picture you see here was taken in his alley. The graffiti is on a wall that is owned by the city. Our FBvian writes:
Did you know the city of Dallas can fine you $500 (or whatever) for graffiti not only on your property but THEIR property if it is near your home? I had to paint our back street garage doors which had been tagged with some gang-related black spray paint after the city cited me with a letter, phone call, AND a personal visit. I was then threatened and even harassed on a daily basis by a city inspector until I fixed the 14 feet of graffiti along the back concrete alley adjacent to our property.
At the risk of this sounding like the angry, old guy in the front lawn, I have to say the city is doing its best to shakedown law-abiding, tax-paying citizens in a very James J. Gandolfini way.
Signed,
Angry in Lakewood
Opening Wider: T.D. Jakes’ Latest Flick
Bishop T.D. Jakes may soon be saying some hosannas for Hollywood. A third movie associated with the Potter’s House pastor, a family-oriented comedy called Jumping the Broom, is set to open May 6 on 2,000 screens, up from 400 screens and 750 screens for Jakes’ previous flicks.
Another collaboration between Jakes and Sony Pictures Entertainment, Jumping boasted a $6.5 million budget and was shot on location in Nova Scotia. Thanks to incentives, says Jakes (shown in photo by Jeanne Prejean), the filmmakers got 30 percent more bang for their bucks there.
At a jam-packed pre-screening party Saturday at the Beverly Drive manse of Jeff Rich and Jan Miller–Jan’s Dupree Miller & Associates literary agency handles Jakes’ books–a crowd including Jody Grant, Royce West, Carol Reed and John Wiley Price toasted the Dallas-based Jakes and cast members such as Laz Alonso and Angela Basset. With his earlier, $3 million (budget) film titled Woman Thou Art Loosed having grossed $6.8 million so far, would the bishop be willing to disclose his revenue goal for Jumping? “No,” Jakes said, laughing good-naturedly. “I’m scared to do that!”
Amazing Crash Video From Tollway
Watch this video. And then be amazed when you read that, all things considered, the guy on the motorcycle escaped with minor injuries.
Things To Do in Dallas Tonight: April 25
Jeez, it is pitch black outside. I suppose this is more good news for my poor potted plants, as I forgot to water them for about a week and a half. After a peek this morning, I think they’re rebounding from the trauma just fine.
Speaking of rebounding from trauma, I’m fairly certain that if you don’t taste something called BrewDog Tactical Nuclear Penguin at least once in your life, you’ll regret it. No, it’s not killer power plant runoff. Until just recently, it was the strongest beer in the world. We’re talking 32% percent alcohol by volume, people, so it’s technically liquor. The Flying Saucer on the Lake has been hoarding six bottles of it for a little while, waiting for the perfect time to unleash this stuff on the brew-loving public. According to Rebecca at the Saucer, it’s national penguin day (I checked Google to confirm, and actually, it’s world penguin day) and that’s as good an excuse as any.
The lake location is also the only one licensed to serve anything stronger than your average beer, so the bar will pour the BrewDog in shots — two ounce portions for $30 — starting at 5 pm. Rebecca says to get there early, however, because once their six bottles are gone, good luck finding the brew anywhere else. I’d also be inclined to grab dinner while I’m at it. Brat-on-a-bun with a side of Penguin, anyone?
Lame jokes aside, there’s more things to do tonight should you feel like braving the elements. Click here. And don’t forget that the Best of Big D shopping survey went live this morning, so start voting early and often.
Jeez, Guys, It’s Just Tied: Notes on the Dallas-Portland Series
Listen. LISTEN. Everything is going to be OK.
Vote Once an Hour in the Best of Big D Readers’ Choice: Shopping Poll
It’s time to get voting on all the best places to shop in and around Dallas.
The winners — your winners — will be recognized in the August 2011 issue of D Magazine.
Leading Off (4/25/11)
Rain Good, Lightning Bad For North Texas Wildfires: Saturday saw four inches of rain fall in some parts of North Texas. Possum Kingdom Lake got a little more than an inch, which helped quell some of the fires. Yet the 17 new blazes also started Saturday. Last night brought more Olympian tears and lightning rage from Zeus, as he continues his efforts to burn Texas to a crisp as part of his ongoing war with Chuck Norris.
This Evening, Mavs Will Try to Prove That They Aren’t the Worst Team to Root For in All of Sports: Are the little Mavs soft? Are they the most notorious chokers in NBA history? Will Dirk’s hall of fame career be forever overshadowed by fourth quarter playoff impotence? Tune in tonight for another maddening episode of As The Portland Series’ Tide Turns.
Cruise With Cowboys Cheerleaders Canceled, Cruisers Upset: I suppose if you are Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders-obsessed then it is a shame that you spent good money for a chance to take a cruise with the cheerleaders only to have the buxom broads cancel. But what really fascinates me about this story is the list of other similarly themed cruises. I guess it makes sense that there are Star Trek-themed cruises, but Little House on the Prairie cruises? Or cruises featuring guest passenger Donald Rumsfeld? That sounds like Reality TV gold.
City Council Food Truck Vote This Week: The Dallas City Council will vote on food trucks this week, and it looks like it will be a go for zoning changes allowing the portable eateries to operate in the Arts District and in a section of Lower Greenville Avenue. Next step: allow trucks to operate anywhere they darn well please.
A Message from Ambit Energy: Keep Texas Beautiful
We’ll bet you didn’t know Ambit Energy was born in the Lone Star State. In 2006, at a Potbelly’s restaurant in Addison, Ambit’s co-founders discussed energy deregulation and finished their sandwiches with an agreement to start what is now the fastest growing private company in America.
In a state where the twinkling stars and bluebonnet-blanketed freeways represent our pride, we want an energy company that has similar values about conserving Texas’ beauty. Ambit Energy believes that energy companies should help the environment, not hurt it. We think that’s why so many Texans choose Ambit. It’s easy to switch, and you’ll probably end up saving some money as well.
This weekend for Earth Day, make sure to remember the things you love about our great state. And celebrate them with some of Earth Day Dallas’ fantastic events, below.
Sponsored Post. Please support our Advertisers.
Best of Big D Readers Choice: Shopping Poll Starts Monday, April 25
It’s almost that time again, kids. Our Best of Big D Readers Choice polling continues on Monday with your chance to sound off on where to find the best shopping in town.
You’ll be able to vote up to once an hour through May 8, and cast your ballots on your smartphone through our mobile website.
Things To Do in Dallas This Weekend: April 22-24
Today is not only Good Friday and Earth Day, but the start of Earth Day Dallas, and boy, am I ever glad the rain seems to be holding off. This evening’s activities would be so much less fun if I had to break out the banana-yellow poncho.
Friday
If you’ve wandered anywhere near the Arts District today, you’ve probably noticed a lot of tent-building and road-blockage. The massive two-day festival kicked off around 10 am this morning with the “Eco Expo” and continues into the evening with a pretty excellent line up of musical acts. If you’re lucky and have a half day today, check out Dem Southernfolkz at 2pm in Annette Strauss Square. Multitalented duo The O’s are on at 5 pm.
I know a lot of people will be attending church services tonight, but if regular Friday night fun is still on the agenda, might I suggest doing your drinking at Billiard Bar? The bar has teamed up with Zeus Comics to raise money for American Red Cross relief efforts in Japan, which makes for an evening right up my nerdy alley. The Comic Art Jam and Auction will feature notable graphic artists like James O’Barr (”The Crow”) and Kristian Donaldson, who did the cover art for the comic based on Joss Whedon’s webseries Dr. Horrible, drawing live. The work they create will be sold to highest bidder, and every single cent gets donated.
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