Articles for July, 2011
Rangers Ballpark, ctd. How About National League Baseball Downtown?
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?
Time to Take Down the “Where’s the Birth Certificate” Billboard on Central?
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?“
Josh Venable Named New Program Director at KDGE-FM
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.
Law Man Walking: Nature Treks With Bill Holston
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.
Things To Do In Dallas Tonight: July 13
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.
Should the Texas Rangers Ballpark Move Downtown, With a Roof?
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.
Leading Off (7/13/11)
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.
To DART, I Say, “What?”
So DART is now mulling over charging people who live in non-member cities to park at two stations – Parker Road on the Red line, and North Carrollton/Frankford on the Green line. Apparently, the plan is to hire a private firm and do something with decals that would tell attendants where the person lives so they know how much to charge, or not charge.
But really? Having spent two years riding DART nearly every day, I can count on one hand the times I saw fare enforcement come on to a train to check tickets or passes. We can figure out a way to charge people to park if they don’t live in a member city, but we can’t figure out how to escape the clutches of the honor system when it comes to fares?
I’m kind of gobsmacked.
Glenn Beck Is Moving to Dallas to Solve the JFK Assassination Once And For All
It took him four chalkboards and the back of an IHOP placemat, but he’s (finally) got a workable theory. A friend of a friend of a friend of a friend of an enemy of mine managed to get a look, and — while I, yes, had to fill in a few blanks myself, thanks to the shaky iPhone photo I received — here is what I can share. UPDATE: Now with an octopus.
Michael Irvin Comes Out For Equality
The former Cowboys wide receiver is on the cover of Out magazine this month, and the interview inside concerns his support for marriage equality. He is taking a stand, based on his relationship with his brother, Vaughn, who died in 2006. Irvin found out his brother was gay in the 1970s, which, he says, led to some of his bad behavior, as he tried to come to grips with his own hang-ups. It’s a revealing and honest look at Irvin. Two money quotes:
“And through it all we realized maybe some of the issues I’ve had with so many women, just bringing women around so everybody can see, maybe that’s the residual of the fear I had that if my brother is wearing ladies’ clothes, am I going to be doing that? Is it genetic? I’m certainly not making excuses for my bad decisions. But I had to dive inside of me to find out why am I making these decisions, and that came up.”
and
“I don’t see how any African-American, with any inkling of history, can say that you don’t have the right to live your life how you want to live your life. No one should be telling you who you should love, no one should be telling you who you should be spending the rest of your life with. When we start talking about equality, and everybody being treated equally, I don’t want to know an African-American who will say everybody doesn’t deserve equality.”
Things To Do In Dallas Tonight: July 12
I like a lot of things for their nostalgia factor. Which, aside from general TV dorkiness, could be partly why I’m so excited for the TNT remake of Dallas, and why this nearly reduced me to tears this morning.
Anyway, I’m dwelling on the whole nostalgia idea because Britney Spears’ Femme Fatale concert is the big ticket tonight. I can’t entirely get behind this so-called Britney comeback, although I know she always puts on a decent show. I’ve just never heard anyone so disinterested in being sexy, and there’s apparently not enough Auto-Tune in the world to help fill the obvious vacancy in her voice. Personally, I find it a) insulting that we’re expected to eat this product up, and b) embarrassing that it seems like we are. “Toxic” was decent, even potentially good, for what is is, because she wasn’t trying to entice some guy, she was telling him to you-know-what. Works much better for her, because that seems kinda like what she’d like to say to the rest of us. However, if you are a big fan of rapper Nicki Minaj, she’s one of the evening’s opening acts. Bring fire extinguishers just in case.
Instead, I am going to invite you to view a sporting event. Which is bizarre for me, but hear me out. The MLB All-Star game is tonight, and you should watch it (or pretend to watch it) at Gordon Biersch this evening. They’ll holding a watch party/fundraiser at the Park Lane location. They’re offering drink and food specials as well as taking up a collection for the family of Shannon Stone, the man who fell from the stands and died at the BallPark in Arlington last Thursday.
If this isn’t enough to entice you, The Dallas Morning News’ Evan Grant will be there, and you’ll have the chance to bid on dinner for two with him and our own Nancy Nichols. She writes, and I quote, that it will be “funnier and more interesting than any reality TV show.” I believe this with my whole heart. Again, proceeds will benefit Stone’s family.
For more things to with your Tuesday evening, including an opera-themed food and wine tasting at Screen Door, go here.
Dallas: Your Merciless Universe, Under Your Implacable Sun, You Dread the Death Only
We’re talking about TNT’s Dallas this morning, and the fact that the French version of the original series replaced the awesome theme music with a bizarre song featuring oh-so-French lyrics. This is the translation, according to a YouTube commenter:
Dallas! your merciless universe.
Dallas! glorify the rule of the might.
Dallas ! and under your implacable sun.
Dallas! you dread the death only.Dallas! homeland of the dollar, of the petroleum.
Dallas! you do not know mercy.
Dallas! the revolver is your idol.
Dallas! you hold on to your past.Dallas! woe to him who does not understood.
Dallas! one day he will lose life.
Dallas! your merciless universe.
Dallas! glorify the rule of the might.
Dallas! woe to him who does not understood.Dallas! one day he will lose life.
Dallas! your merciless universe.
Dallas! glorify the rule of the might.
Dallas! woe to him who does not understood.
Dallas! one day he will lose life…
Forget “Live Large. Think Big.” We’ve got ourselves a new city slogan.
Is Texas Safer Because of Its Concealed Carry Laws?
From WFAA, via KHOU, a reporter asks if Texas is safer because it allows citizens to carry concealed guns. The answer? Uh, maybe? Or maybe, rather, it doesn’t make it any less safe?
Leading Off (7/12/11)
City Hall Workers Are Facebooking on the Job. An inquiry (sub. req.) found that quite a few Dallas city employees spend too much time on Facebook while they’re on the clock. About two dozen employees received a reprimand or counseling for their use of the site. Only one of the offenders was named in the story, though. Why not publish a table of every offender?
Pro-Perry Group Takes a Shot at George W. Bush. A California-based group called Americans for Rick Perry [cough, sputter, choke] had on its website the following message: “Remember, Obama wasn’t the only person to inherit an economy after George Bush.” Pow! Zing! The group took down that sentence after the Morning News (sub. req.) called to ask about it.
Fort Worth Boy Attacked by Shark. Nicholas Vossler, 12, was bitten by a bull shark near Galveston. He survived, and now surgeons are working to save his foot.
First Look at TNT’s Dallas Video
No, I couldn’t bring myself to watch The Closer or Rizzoli & Isles, but after the sneak peek played tonight during those shows, TNT posted it online.
It’s only a brief teaser, but looks like Dallas could be fun. And Larry Hagman (with his eyebrows) is a national treasure. Pity we have to wait until next year for the series.
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