Articles for July 21st, 2011
“Handsome Guy” Is Already Taken
So there’s a bank robber in the area, and that’s bad. Let me state from the outset of this post that I do not condone bank robbery. That being said, there is a guy out there robbing banks while wearing a fairly pricey mask that has now given him his nickname “Handsome Guy.”
And yes, I know Big Bob already posted about this. But tell me, did he ask this: If you were going to rob banks, what would you want the police to name you on their APB and BOLO? Explain.
Dallas County Property Tax Valuations Down …
… and Farmers Branch has the biggest decline – 3.6 percent, mostly on residential valuations. Overall, the county is down about 1.7 percent this year, which is actually good news, since the county based its 2012 budget on a drop of more than 4 percent.
But back to that Farmers Branch decline. A FrontBurnervian messaged to ask how this jibed with former Mayor Tim O’Hare’s premise that the town needed more stringent ordinances to combat illegal immigration, because an influx of undocumented aliens was driving property prices down. Was his theory incorrect, or is the fact that the ordinances are still tied up in court to blame, and O’Hare is just remarkably prescient?
So, What Are You Guys Up To?
Me? Just blogging. Or maybe should I say bloggin’, make it a little less formal? You know, take the tie off, so to speak. You?
Giveaway: A Nice Gorilla Vs. Bear Fest/Granada Theater Prize Pack
If you have not already made plans to go to the very excellent Gorilla vs. Bear Fest at the Granada Theater on Saturday, please rectify that immediately. The debut of Preteen Zenith, Tim DeLaughter from Tripping Daisy/Polyphonic Spree’s new band! White Denim, the makers of D, maybe my favorite album this year! Shabazz Palaces! Dreamed! Lots of other things I would totally put an exclamation point after!
I’ll be there. I’m the guy with the beard. No, not that one. Or that one. Yes, there I am. Hello. Anyway. The good folks at the Granada have made available a special prize pack to attendees. The details are after the jump.
DMN, Please Move Kevin Sherrington to Metro
That was Amy S.’s suggestion in the comments to the Jean-Jacques Taylor post, and I like it. Everyone wins, I think. Especially since today Steve Blow wrote about cursive. Not in cursive — although, actually, he did that, too — but about it. Guh. (That’s probably behind the paywall, but come on. Daniel, I’m sure, can accurately recreate it in the comments.)
Rais Bhuiyan Spoke With Mark Stroman Before the Execution
A few hours before Mark Stroman was executed, he requested that Rais Bhuiyan call him, so they could have at least a brief conversation. Bhuiyan, if you haven’t been following the story, was one of three men Stroman shot in the weeks following September 11, 2001, and the only victim to survive his attack. Last week, Bhuiyan filed suit against the state and the governor in an effort to delay the execution so that he could exercise his right to confront his attacker, a right he is afforded under Texas law. As appeals worked their way up both Federal and state courts, Bhuiyan was nervous, worried he might never get to speak to the man who shot him in the face.
But at about 4:15, with the help of a filmmaker who’s been following Stroman’s case for years, Bhuiyan had a brief phone conversation with the condemned man. It was chaotic, with several other people in the room on both ends of the line. Stroman thanked Bhuiyan for his efforts and the efforts of his legal team.
Bhuiyan wanted to tell Stroman that he forgives him. He wanted to ask him about the attack. “I have so many unanswered questions,” Bhuiyan told me. “I want to see him as a human being. I want to look into his eyes and tell him that I don’t hate him, even after he tried to kill me.” But the conversation lasted barely a minute. Bhuiyan never got the chance to say the things he wanted. A few hours later — just minutes after the courts rejected all of Bhuiyan’s final appeals — Stroman was dead.
Things To Do In Dallas Tonight: July 21
We have, in fact, noticed the temperature. We know. It’s hot. Which is probably why my inbox has been overrun with invitations to various “Christmas in July” events.
But I will say that the Granada’s was the first to arrive, and still sounds like the most fun. They took their scheduled Eels show, which I would have been down for anyway because frontman E has that awesome growly voice, and invited Santa. Side note to Mr. E: I know it’s not in your usual repertoire, but I really love the song “Last Christmas” by Wham!. Just a tiny little request. Anyway, the real reason for the X-mas party? A recently acquired A/C unit that pumps 100 tons of cool air rather than just 50. I, for one, am thrilled. The last time I saw a show at the Granada, I was practically swimming in perspiration, which was as unpleasant as it sounds. Santa and his elves will be passing out prizes, and David Slick and The Submarines will open. P.S. this concert is actually happening and you can still get tickets.
Meanwhile, if you have a hankering for local fare, head to The Grape for a social, come-as-you-are dinner featuring elements from favorite vendors around Dallas (cheese from Scardello, bread from Empire Baking Company, and so on). Wine will be served with each course. If you need more convincing than that, read Nancy’s post about The Grape on SideDish. It made me hungry, nostalgic, and happy to live in Dallas all at the same time. Which, speaking of, don’t forget to check out our beautiful Best of Big D issue.
For more things to do tonight, click here.
9 New Problems for Collin County Judge
The saga continues for a Collin County judge and 3 co-defendants facing 9 new indictments including bribery, tampering with government records, money laundering and engaging in organized crime. Danny Gallagher has the story.
Dan Branch to Run for Lt. Guv?
With David Dewhurst entering the Senate race, the music has started in Austin’s game of musical chairs. Tim Eaton at the Austin American Statesman reports that Dallas State Rep. Dan Branch may try to succeed Dewhurst. If true, it is very good news.
Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson and Comptroller Susan Combs, who also say they are looking at the race, have better name ID among GOP primary voters, simply by having been on the statewide ballot. But Branch arguably has more claim to accomplishment than his higher-profile competitors. Wielding little direct power but applying his considerable intellectual and persuasive gifts, he has made himself the single most positive force for higher education in Texas since Harry Ransom was chancellor of the University of Texas forty years ago. The Tier One amendment to the Texas Constitution, approved by voters in 2009, is only one of his many achievements.
In other words, Branch is not one of the platitude-popping, populist-pandering politicians — hello, Rick Perry! — that Texas has come to know so well. He’s a thoughtful, articulate, look-to-the-future, get-it-done kind of guy who could reshape the political landscape.
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