Articles for June, 2011
Jim Schutze Now Loves the Trinity Forest That He Used To Hate
What a difference three years make. Read this story that Schutze wrote in 2008 titled “The Great Trinity Forest Ain’t So Great.” Then read this week’s dispatch from him, a breathless love letter to the Trinity Forest. Hey, everyone is entitled to a change of heart. But I don’t see how you can write the second story without making mention of the first.
Dewhurst Immigration Solution All Wet, Intern Says
Intern James Bright attended today’s talk by Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst at D World Headquarters. And he has a bone or two to pick with the lieutenant governor on illegal immigration:
David Dewhurst stopped by D’s office today to let us know about his perfect plan to solve any and all immigration problems: increase border patrol. Well, since this idea has been put out there pretty much forever, and virtually every opinion writer in the nation has given their two cents on the idea, I figured why not throw my thoughts into the mix.
According to Dewhurst, there are approximately 7,000 miles of border and roughly 19,000 current border patrol agents protecting our land. He says that tripling the number of security personal will effectively solve the issues of illegal immigrants, drug traffickers, and people with passports from “terrorist countries” like Libya and Syria coming into the United States.
I’m a Fan of Dirk Nowitzki, But …
you won’t catch me doing this (warning, link slightly NSFW if your boss is really uptight).
The question is, though, would you? And if not there, where on your body would you consider such a thing?
Robert Wilonsky Is the 10th-Most Powerful Person in Dallas?
I think even Robert Wilonsky — especially Robert Wilonsky — will say this list is bollocks. And that’s exactly why I will hereinafter always refer to him as Big Bob Wilonsky, the 10th-most powerful man in Dallas, an appellation he will publicly decry but secretly love.
Dewhurst at D Magazine: This is “As Close as I’m Gonna Come to Making an Announcement”
For many months, pols and political junkies have been waiting for Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst to declare his intentions in the GOP race to succeed U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison–a race that includes former Dallas mayor Tom Leppert. Yesterday, Dewhurst teased that his plans probably wouldn’t be influenced by whether Gov. Rick Perry decides to run for president. And in a talk to People Newspapers/D staffers in Dallas today, the lieutenant governor (pictured in photo by Chris McGathey) sure sounded like a candidate who was itching to jump in.
“Tricia [Dewhurst's wife] and I have prayed about it. I’m not here to be making any announcement; I’d rather be doing that in a couple of weeks,” Dewhurst said. “I love Texas … and for anyone going to Washington, it’s a hardship. But I just think there seems to be a lack of understanding in Washington as to how to balance budgets and treat people fairly and be civil and address entitlements.”
The lieutenant governor then praised the current Legislature for pumping more money into public education–even as it reduced spending by nearly $15 billion–and said Washington could learn from Austin by “thinking outside the box” on reforming Medicare, for example. “Out of 29 elected state officials, I’m the only traditional businessman,” Dewhurst concluded. “So, we’ve learned our lessons. We’ve tried to lower taxes, tried to fund the priorities, we’re trying to use new ideas to solve health care. … I don’t see that happening in Washington. I think they need practical problem-solvers there. And that’s as close as I’m gonna come to making an announcement.”
David Feherty Has Himself a New Show
A humorous FrontBurnervian has watched the new Feherty show on the Golf Channel and delivers the following report: “It was hilarious. I would watch it every time, and I don’t play golf. Made me laugh, made me cry. Can’t ask for more than that.” Go here to see an extended version of his interview with Lee Trevino (and you can check out a few other clips, too).
Things To Do In Dallas Tonight: June 23
Today is the day Joss Whedon arrived on the planet. I propose that we all take the opportunity to sing along to “I’ve Got a Theory” in his honor (okay, fine, you can do My Freeze Ray), right this very second. Rarely, if ever, do I subject anyone to my off-key warbling, with the somewhat large exception of the time I managed to get myself cast in a friend’s play as a mysterious singing semi-homeless person. But I’d make another little exception for Joss.
Plans for the evening? Allow me. If you didn’t manage to snag tickets to tonight’s sold out Girl Talk show, don’t be bitter. The Ginger Man on Boll Street is calling your name. I love this place. It’s more or less walking distance from my apartment, depending on how hot it is outside, and they frequently play host to some sort of boozey Bible study. Genius.
Anyway, tonight’s happening is Cold Beer and Wet Noses, a fundraiser for the neglected, sick, and abandoned puppies rescued by Metroplex Mutts. I had you at “neglected,” didn’t I? I can’t resist either. Just the thought of all those poor helpless dogs without homes turns me into a sad sniveling girl. If you were heading out for happy hour anyway, this is your best bet and probably the best ten bucks you’ll spend tonight.
In other news, Lee Fuqua, the friendliest (talented, too) man in the local winemaking biz, has recently teamed up with Paula Lambert of Mozzarella Co. to offer a truly locavoric wine and cheese pairing class. I usually just eat Paula’s ricotta by the spoonful, but this sounds like a meeting of expert minds that shouldn’t be missed. I predict that things will get as crazy as something so dignified and educational possibly can.
More spaghetti events, you say? Find more options for your evening here.
Lt. Governor David Dewhurst Will Be At D Magazine Headquarters In 30 Minutes For A Q&A
If you have a “q” for him, comment now.
More Good Publicity for DART
A commuting FrontBurnervian sent along the pic below shortly before 9 this morning. He writes: “The Tollway south is gridlock at Frankford, so this DART bus driver felt the need to cut through the median to the service road — but she got herself high centered and f’d up the service road as well. Well done. Sadly, you can’t quite make out the driver in the door waving cars around, and the bus is full.”
Mickey Ashmore Lays Down the Gauntlet for Mike Rawlings — And Parents Across Dallas
Mickey Ashmore is president of United Commercial Realty. He’s also a Bryan Adams grad and a former speech and English teacher at W.T. White. His background gives him an interesting perspective on the challenges facing DISD. Over on our RealPoints blog, he lays out a forceful argument for what needs to be done. I hope our new mayor and our next superintendent are listening.
How Can a $21.8 Million, 20,000-Square-Foot Dallas Home Have Zero Bedrooms?
By now you’ve no doubt noticed that we’ve published the July issue of D Magazine, which includes our biennial examination of the 100 Most Expensive Homes in Dallas. We used Dallas Central Appraisal District valuations, meaning every Dallas County home was ranked, though only houses in the Park Cities or Dallas proper were worth enough to make the cut.
Online our list is sortable by a number of statistics. Those who’ve played around with this tool may have discovered an oddity: eight of the listed homes have no official bedrooms, according to DCAD records. For example: Ed Cox’s nearly 20,000-square-foot house (No. 7 on the list) has 4 fireplaces and 6 bathrooms, but no bedrooms.
Here at D World Headquarters we discussed among ourselves why this might be. Sure, it could be that DCAD’s information is just wrong, but it was more fun to speculate about alternatives. Perhaps the interior of Cox’s home consists merely of a series of cavernous sitting rooms, libraries, conservatories, dens, dungeons, and man-caves, and he prefers to sleep in a Barcalounger instead of a bed. Or maybe DCAD adheres to some arcane definition requiring any officially tallied bedroom to feature double egress, not merely single.
Whatever the case, I called DCAD to find out. What I discovered might shock or dismay you.
Leading Off (6/23/11)
Eight Motherless Children Need Help. An estranged husband killed his wife and sister-in-law, which leaves eight children without their mothers. The father of three of the children was wounded and won’t be able to work for two months. This family is in dire need of help. A trust fund has been created for them.
DPD Releases Press Release on Facebook. Actually, it appears DPD sent a press release, which said, “Check Facebook.” And then on the Facebook page made the announcement that the second motorcyclist who shut down 75 during Memorial Day weekend has been arrested. It’s fitting because the police department has been using Facebook extensively to try to arrest more of the people involved in the incident. So, um, all you who were involved, change your profile pictures. Maybe delete some old statuses. Or don’t. That’s actually better for everyone.
Another In-N-Out Opens. Get ready for the photos, the videos, the criers, the burgers, and most importantly, the traffic jams.
Dallas, Jimmy Choo Break Aretha Franklin
Aretha Franklin was in Dallas last week, performing at a private party, when she apparently broke her toe. The 69-year-old legend proceeded to go on to her next engagement, but made a quick pit stop in Indianapolis for treatment.
The Associated Press reported that while packing in a Dallas hotel, Franklin had a mishap with her Jimmy Choo shoe. Greenwichtime.com reports further:
Franklin performed Thursday at the home of a Dallas “oil baron” and was packing her clothing later in a hotel room when she stepped on the shoe, causing the heel to “wrap” around the toe, spokeswoman Tracey Jordan (not, as I pictured, Tracy Jordan) told the Associated Press Tuesday.
I’m still trying to wrap my head around that description, but thanks to Alan Peppard, we know that the oil baron in question was Jim Musselman, who threw the party in honor of his late wife, Shelly.
Southwest Pilot Unhappy With Attendants
A Southwest Airlines pilot is in the doghouse because of comments he made while his mic was live and he didn’t know it. His biggest alleged sin: lamenting that his flight crews consisted of “gays, grannies and grandes” (the last apparently referring to overweight people) instead of “cute chicks.” No telling his reaction if he’d had this guy onboard.
Playboys in Dallas Could Only Party Till Midnight
Did you miss the Playboy party last night? Yeah, me, too. But our intern Kelsy McCraw did not. Read her report below.
Jaime Edmondson (Miss January 2010) and Lauren Anderson (Miss July 2002)
Playboy bunnies invaded The Apartment last night to help Seagram’s 7 Crown unveil two new whiskey flavors, Dark Honey and Stone Cherry.
The Dallas party was the third of seven parties the duo is throwing across the country, and apparently Dallas knows how to throw down—well, sort of.
The two hosts, Playboy’s Miss January 2010 Jaime Edmondson and Miss July 2002 Lauren Anderson, said that each party has had its own personality, and Dallas’ played to the tune of the Playboy Club-theme.
“Chicago was a lot of suits, and New York was, well, New York,” Edmondson said. “This one (Dallas) feels the most like a club.”
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