Articles for May, 2011
Oklahoma Sports Writer Is Completely Right
The Oklahoman has one fine sports columnist in Berry Tramel. From personal experience, I also know he’s a fine dancer, and rivals Bud Kennedy and Evan Grant for knowing the most places you need to go eat at no matter where you are. The three of them? They’re like Yelp with inkstains.
So you all need to marvel at Berry’s ability to deliver bad news to Thunder fans, and also at his ability to be completely and totally right, as the Mavs head into this series with the Oklahoma Thunder.
Farmers Branch Voters Say No To Own ISD
Back in December, Farmers Branch Mayor Tim O’Hare said he’d like the city to have its own school district, instead of being a part of the Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD or (depending on where you live) sending your kids to a Dallas ISD school. That idea made it onto the ballot,where it was defeated.
O’Hare says the blame probably lies with the fact that his city has a lot of old people, who don’t have his vision. How exactly that vision would’ve been carried out is a little up for discussion, too, considering you need 8,000 students to form a new district, and there are only 4,000 in the whole CFBISD.
Qantas Impact Could Be $200M Annually
Qantas Airways’ move to launch direct service between Sydney, Australia, and DFW Airport, which was 10 years in the making, is all about boosting business in both the U.S. and Australia. The four-times-weekly service, which kicks off today, could have a $130 million-plus direct impact on the North Texas economy annually, airport CEO Jeff Fegan said this morning. The figure that could rise to $200 million when and if daily flights are inaugurated, he added.
Fegan was attending a World Affairs Council breakfast addressed by Kim Beazley, the Australian ambassador to the United States. In an interview afterward, Beazley said the Aussie airline’s decision on daily service would be triggered by “load factors,” as well as the availability of Boeing’s often-delayed 787 Dreamliner plane (Quantas is currently using Boeing’s extended-range 747 for the flights).
Beazley also said that while Houston now enjoys the lion’s share of Texas business with Australian companies, the new service here will make North Texas more attractive to small and medium-sized Aussie firms, especially in the high-tech sector, and to Australian investors, who have a ton of cash to deploy. “This will sort of rub a lot of noses in opportunity,” he said.
Which Candidate Spent the Most Per Vote?
Over at the Dallas Morning News, Rudy Bush does some math for us and figures out how much each winning candidate spent per vote. The most frugal? Ann Margolin, who retained her Preston Hollow and Northwest Dallas seat by spending only 18 cents per vote. The most spendy (mayoral races included) was her neighbor, Monica Alonzo, who spent a whopping $60.05 per vote to take Steve Salazar’s seat (Salazar was out because of term limits).
One could argue that if you won, you got bang for your buck. But I am not certain $60.05 is a wise expenditure when the net is only 634 votes.
Things To Do in Dallas Tonight: May 16
Another clear-cut victory for democracy. Steven Jones, who, unlike most people in Irving, doesn’t even bother to pretend that he’s not a giant racist, has won himself a place on the district school board. Jones is the founder of Lyric Stage, which just goes to show you that theater people can be creepy, too.
Speaking of, I hear Lakeside Community Theater in The Colony is holding auditions tonight and tomorrow for The Evil Dead: The Musical. This is without a doubt the worst show I’ve ever seen Off Broadway, on Broadway, or anywhere so far away from Broadway that it might as well be outer space. The first two rows of the audience are a splash zone for the absurd amount of fake blood. However, there’s a Tony Danza pun, and maybe a talking moose head. And it did make me laugh. Honestly, I’d audition if I wasn’t tone deaf. Someone more talented than I, go try out and give me a better reason than misplaced nostalgia to see it again in July.
Personally, I think Dallas Theatre Center company member Liz Mikel is one of the hardest working people in Dallas. She’s gearing up for her turn as Dorothy in the summer production of The Wiz, and somehow has found the time to put on a blues concert every single Monday evening over at South Side on Lamar. Tonight’s themed show, “A Pigfoot and a Bottle of Beer,” is especially fun, however, because the singer will pay tribute to the Chitlin’ Circuit (venues acceptable for African-American performers during segregation, like the Apollo Theater) and a few of the bigger names to come out of it. Her set will include songs from Martha and the Vandellas, Gladys Knight, Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin, and Stevie Wonder, and awesomely, it’s free. UPDATE: Apparently, I was given next week’s set list. Tonight, Mikel will perform music by blues legends Ma Rainey and Bessie Smith along with an homage to Jackie “Moms” Mabley, a stand up comedian. Still free, of course.
Also free and awesome: the final installment of FrontRow’s film series at the Texas Theatre. Check it out. Plus, don’t forget to vote in the Best of Big D services survey, which kicked off this morning.
For more things to do in around town tonight, go here.
Oh, Yeah — The Mavs Are Still Playing.
Nine days after their last game, Your Dallas Mavericks will return to the court tomorrow night, against the Oklahoma City Thunder, in the first game of the Western Conference Finals. The extra rest will come in handy, probably, since the schedule for this I-35 series calls for games every other day. A few questions, before it gets going.
Vote Now in the Best of Big D Readers’ Choice: Services Poll. Once an Hour Through May 29.
I told you, on Friday, what to expect.
Now’s your chance to live the dream.
VOTE.
Only you can determine who takes the title of “Best of Big D” and appears in the August 2011 issue of D Magazine.
Leading Off (5/16/11)
Brace Yourself For Five Exciting Bonus Weeks of Mayoral Campaigning: As expected, the dullest mayoral campaign in Dallas history is now even longer. The candidates are back on the trail. And yes, Tim’s string-pulling to make Rob (Ron) Natinsky the next mayor failed. The Dallas Morning News, however, is anointing Natinsky kingmaker (sorry Tim), but with his supporters wavering between concerns about Rawlings’ Democratic leanings and Kunkle’s marriage-happy life, my guess is they just forget to vote in the runoff.
Kidd Most Ironically-Named Player Left in Playoff Race: Yesterday, the OKC Thunder beat the Grizzlies to become the team that will lose to the Marvericks in the Western Conference Finals. If you need to get psyched up again for the playoffs, check out this New York Times feature on Jason Kidd’s quest to be the oldest point guard to win an NBA title in league history.
Handicaps Be Damned, Married Downs Couple Lives Out Normal Life: Grab the nearest hankie before you click through to this story about Austin Davenport and Christi Hockel, a married couple with Downs Syndrome living in East Dallas.
Where the Mayoral Watching Parties Will Be Watched
Just in case you’ve misforgotten, we’re electing a new mayor tomorrow (much to Dwaine Caraway’s chagrin). Here is where the candidates will be watching the results tomorrow night and, based on that, who I think will win the election:
David “Good to Great” Kunkle: San Francisco Rose
Assessment: Solid choice. Kunkle has positioned himself (back when he was still actively campaigning) as the man of the people. The Rose, one of Dallas’ original fern bars, is in Kunkle’s M-Streets hood. It’s a beloved institution, even if the food is mediocre and overpriced. Think of it this way: if Zac Crain were to run for mayor, he’d have his election night party at the Old Monk. The Rose is Kunkle’s Monk.
Ron “8-Track” Natinsky: The Loft at Gilley’s
Assessment: Carol Reed does all her election night gigs here. It’ll be the first time Natinsky has darkened the door of Gilley’s. He’ll feel out of place and ill at ease. I can’t support this option.
Mike “Mike” Rawlings: Trece
Assessment: Here’s a guy who knows how to play to his base. Trece? It’s deliciously elitist. Why didn’t he just have the thing at Al Biernat’s? I like Rawlings’ moxie. He’ll be hard to beat.
Edward “The Nigerian Hammer” Okpa: [staffer who answered phone at campaign HQ said she didn't know the location]
Assessment: I spoke too soon. This is way better than Rawlings’ choice. Of course the person who answers the phone at your campaign HQ knows where the party is. But why would she tell me? She deduced from the way I introduced myself — “Hi, this is Tim Rogers, editor of D Magazine” — that I’m a dork who would totally be a buzz kill at an election night party. So she copped ignorance. VERY solid move.
Judging from the foregoing, Okpa will win the election tomorrow in a landslide. Congratulations, sir. Well played.
ABC Adds Good Christian . . . Belles to its Fall Lineup
It was just announced that the pilot based on Kim Gatlin’s book, Good Christian Britches, has been picked up and will be part of the ABC fall lineup with a slight change — the name. The program will be called Good Christian Belles.
Doesn’t quite have the same ring to it, huh?
Quick Summer Contest: Standing by to Judge You and Your Swimsuit Body
Sex sells + editors need to take summer vacations = Why not a swimsuit contest?
Twenty finalists — 10 male and 10 female — will be selected, based on the “most appealing” photos of people in swimsuits.
Finalists will be placed online for voting. The contestants with the most votes — one male and one female — will be featured on the cover of a major Dallas-area publication.
Pickens: Koch Brothers Behind Attacks on Energy Plan
Billionaire T. Boone Pickens says political conservatives and tea-party types should embrace his Pickens Plan for natural-gas use, not attack it because of its tax credits for natural gas.
Citing published reports, the Dallas energy magnate said the wealthy Koch Brothers of Koch Industries are behind the attacks. The Kochs, he said, have holdings in ethanol and oil and are merely looking to protect their interests. “They don’t want natural-gas prices to rise,” he said.
In comments made today, just before he attended a Dallas luncheon for Phoenix Houses of Texas, Pickens (pictured in photo by Jeanne Prejean) scoffed at charges that he’s pushing the Plan, now before Congress as the NAT GAS Act, because it would benefit him personally. “I’ve spent $82 million to give America an energy plan it’s never had,” he said. He added that continuing to buy OPEC oil subsidizes terrorists, and that he’s asked for any natural-gas tax breaks to “sunset” in five years. “You need a lift to get it started,” he said.
Best of Big D Readers’ Choice: Services Poll Begins Monday, May 16
Here we are: down to the final round of this year’s Best of Big D Readers’ Choice voting. And the questions we’re laying before the voters, starting Monday, are more important than ever before.
What’s the best day spa in Dallas? The best place to get your eyelashes done? Your eyebrows done? Best place for a facial? Best fitness program? Best massage? Best manicure and pedicure? Best waxing? Best yoga studio? Best sunless tanning salon? Hair salon?
Best auto mechanic? Tailor? Dry cleaner? Best place to board and groom your pets? Best shoe repair? Best car wash? Framer? Mover? Best stationer? Best yard care? Best veterinary clinic? Painter? Caterer?
Best kids’ party entertainer? Best family attraction? Best art classes for kids? Best family photographers?
Hold on, hold on. Don’t shout your answers at the computer screen. We can’t hear you yet. Just return on Monday and cast your ballot. You’ll be able to vote up to once an hour through May 29.
The winners will be announced in the August 2011 issue of D Magazine.
Caraway: Review All Park Department Procedures
In the wake of the “Happy Trails” safety-program controversy, Dallas Mayor
Dwaine Caraway says he’d like to see a complete review of processes and procedures at the city Park Department. “It’s not about the politics,” Caraway said last night, asked about the flap over the $84,000-plus “Trails” contract that was spread among several firms, including one owned by friends of mayoral candidate Mike Rawlings. “It’s about the processes in the Park Department.”
Caraway (pictured in photo by Jeanne Prejean) said that if the “Trails” work had been done pro bono, there’s a chance the $84,000 could have been allocated to other areas of need, such as for keeping more of the city’s swimming pools open, for example. His comments came on the same day that WFAA-TV reported that Stan Richards, founder of the Richards Group, said his firm would have considered designing the “Trails” program for free, had it been approached about the work. Said Caraway of the way the “Trails” contract was awarded: “There might be a lot of stuff like that” at the Park Department.
Things To Do in Dallas This Weekend: May 13-15
The weekend already? Say it ain’t so. This morning brings the terrible news that pretty much everyone hates Hesher, which makes me kind of sad, because Joseph Gordon-Levitt seems adorably adorable even when he’s playing an unwashed miscreant. Maybe I’ll just watch 10 Things I Hate About You for the millionth time, instead.
Friday
It’s no secret that I’m a musical theater lover. Which of course makes the Uptown Player’s annual fundraiser, Broadway Our Way at the Kalita Humphreys Theater, pretty much a must-see. It’s a gender-bending musical medley (women singing the parts meant for males, and vice versa) of favorite numbers from well known shows like Wicked and Hairspray, plus a Michael Jackson mash up and songs from Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, a new musical that opened in New York just last September. I especially enjoy the fact that this is an easy, cheap, and fun way to support a local community theater, instead of a prohibitively expensive gala dinner. When a cast of 26 talented people donate their time for three weeks, it’s worth an evening of mine. Tickets are still available for tonight’s performance, and it runs through Sunday afternoon.
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