It may be completely unrelated to the John Wiley Price investigation. It may totally be tied together. It could have something to do with the delay in charges or what have you regarding the Dallas County constables corruption imbroglio. Or not. Nobody’s saying at this point.
But today, the FBI visited Dallas District Attorney Craig Watkins’ offices today. By the three accounts I’ve seen so far, nobody knows anything, his office isn’t responding to requests for statements, and no materials were seen being carried out by agents, apparently.
Sigh.
The Observer has a pretty good take on the debate over soon-to-possibly-be-banned light bulbs that are not made in Texas here. The gist: a new bill signed into law by Rick Perry will exempt from national regulations the antiquated incandescent light bulbs made in Texas for Texas, which would mean something if any of the bulbs in question were actually made in Texas and not, say, China or Mexico. Of course, when we talk about light bulbs, like anything else, we are really talking about (insert exaggerated air quotes here) “freedom.” The money quote, from state Rep. Marva Beck: “The federal government ought not to be in a position to tell us what we can and cannot buy.” Presumably Beck made this statement while consuming medical marijuana (as opposed to any of those FDA-approved Communist pharmaceuticals) and riding in a seat belt-free car that runs on leaded gas.
Candice & Tony’s Wedding Trailer from Joe Simon Films on Vimeo.
1) Candice didn’t make him shave for the wedding?
2) As with most trailers, it gives away far too much of the movie.
3) What? They couldn’t afford to shoot it in 3D?
UPDATE: Looks like it got pulled offline.
In an article titled “Put Your Money On Texas,” numbers just released by Advertising Age show Texas now with 3,613,473 millennials, a 14% increase from 2000 to 2010. Â The 24-35 year old age group “is critical to a state’s future because they represent the next wave of families, new home buyers and big spenders.” Telling: Of the top ten states with the greatest increase in millenials, not one was east of the Mississippi.
Josh Venable was officially hired as the Edge’s PD today, 18 years after he started at the station as an intern. We have a brief chat about some of that after the jump. Don’t expect too much journalism. He’s my friend and I had two beers watching the U.S. beat France.
Since we’re floating the speculative question about whether or not the Rangers should move to downtown Dallas (yes, great idea, but, alas, it will probably never happen), how about a follow up: Being the fourth largest metropolitan area in the United States, is it time to lure a National League team to Big D?  Locate them in downtown. Cajole Mark Cuban to be the owner. Steal the Rockies or Diamondbacks. Then we get to see baseball in downtown, and my beloved Mets can come to town more than once every decade. And National League ball is so much better than American League.  DHs? Come on. Give me a double switch.
I know, I know, fat chance. But hey, it’s fun to pretend. Who’s in?
It’s been up since September, visible to every commuter heading south, still promoting the extremely-debunked conspiracy theory that questions the legitimacy of the President (and, by extension, American democracy). It’s only been two and a half years since he released the certificate (while running for President), and just three months since he released the “long form” certificate (on the same weekend, history will reflect, he hired Seal Team 6 to shoot Donald Trump in the face), so this might still fall under the dreaded conversation stopper known as “too soon.” But if we don’t want to take the billboard down and use that space to advertise something productive, maybe we could use it to give play to some other conspiracy theories, like “Did We Really Land On the Moon?” or “Were the South Park Creators Really Behind 9/11?” or, as Zac touched upon yesterday, “Does Glenn Beck Know Who Really Shot JFK?“
More later on the return to Dallas of the longtime Adventure Club host/my best friend. (Nope, no objectivity here.) For now, this press release.
In this installment, our man reminds us how history and hiking are intertwined. Then there’s the matter of leading 40 kids from the African American Museum Summer Camp on a hike through the woods.
In certain circles (not a Google+ reference), Helvetica, typeface of choice for everything from ads to the Manhattan Transit Authority, may have worn out its welcome. Especially after American Apparel decided to get in on the action and everyone and their mom was like, “I love typography” when really all they knew was a) Dingbats is the ugliest thing to ever happen to a Word document, and b) Helvetica looks nice and people can actually read it. I’m not claiming I know all that much beyond that, either.
But I happen to think I know good movies (you may argue this point, if you like) and Helvetica is one. The Dallas Center for Architecture, in a bit of a design departure, is screening Gary Hustwit’s fascinating documentary tonight. Meanwhile, should you feel the need to brush up on your knowledge of the alphabet/writing/Baal, the Phoenician god who preferred his human sacrifices roasted, check this out.
Speaking of good movies, I rewatched Gone With the Wind the other night since it is now on Netflix Instant. I’ve been feeling a weird affinity for all things Old South, so, a band with a name like The Civil Wars gets me. Unfortunately, their show at the Texas Theatre tonight is sold out, but they’re giving a free in-store performance at Good Records prior to heading to Oak Cliff.
Finally, if you are a lady (why do I feel like I say this a lot, lately?), the lovely Raya over on ShopTalk has details about a females-only sort of evening happening at Mockingbird Station. I can only assume it’s some sort of scheme to ply us with free alcohol until we feel like buying something. Which is actually probably very effective.
For more things to do tonight, click over here.
After Dan posed his question Monday about whether we’d prefer early-morning or late-night games at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, the official D Magazine Twitter account proposed that the real solution was to build a retractable roof stadium in downtown Dallas.
Some of our Twitter followers endorsed the idea. Patrick Kennedy said he’d put it in Fair Park, rather than downtown proper. Others said the Rangers have a beautiful ballpark already, in a great location, so no need to waste money.
Now Bud Kennedy of the Star-Telegram notes that a group paid to put up a billboard along I-30 asking for baseball to be brought to Dallas. Kennedy’s response is that Dallas lost its chance to have the Rangers decades ago, and why can’t Dallas just share its Major League team with Fort Worth anyway? But I feel like developer Craig Schenkel, who helped fund the billboard:
“Houston put their team right downtown where there’s some atmosphere,” he said. ”For all I care, the Rangers could move to Fort Worth. That downtown is cool. I’d just prefer they be in my city.”
The Astros’ Minute Maid Park is a huge improvement over their previous home, the Astrodome. As much as I believe that baseball was meant to be played outdoors, I also believe that games are much more enjoyable to watch when the temperature isn’t 95 degrees-plus. I get out to Rangers Ballpark five or six times a year, at least, so I know what of I sweat.
And anyone who’s been to Wrigley Field or Fenway Park can’t help but laugh when a fan refers to Rangers Ballpark as “beautiful.” No stadium surrounded by nothing but a sea of parking lots (as many are) truly has a right to that adjective.
C.J. Wilson Loses His All-Star Debut. He gave up a three-run homer to Prince Fielder. In the sideways world, Wilson struck out Fielder, which made his dad finally admit that he was proud of him, and he was able to move on into the light. (Lost reference.)
Toledo Bishop Tells Parishes to Stop Supporting the Komen Foundation. Because it might one day lead to funding embryonic stem cell research. Dallas Bishop Kevin Farrell did not outright agree with his Ohio counterpart, but said there should be more research into how Komen’s funds are used, making a vague allusion to abortion, and my head hurts.
Dallas (and Houston) Growing Faster Than Other U.S. Cities. According to a Rice University report. Why? There are a few factors, but it mostly boils down to each city’s commitment to drink more milk.
Parkland Fined $50,000 For ER Death. The patient, Mike Herrera, died of a heart attack after waiting 17 hours in Parkland’s waiting room. So, $50K seems a little light.