Articles for October 19th, 2011
Real Housewives Star Camille Grammer Snags Charalambopoulos “Toyboy”
An alert FrontBurnervian points us to news from a few days ago that Camille Grammer — she of Real Housewives fame, formerly Kelsey’s wife — has taken up with a “toyboy” from Dallas. Name’s Dimitri Charalambopoulos. From the looks of him, he likes to lift weights (scroll down for pics). I have only once before ran across the name Charalambopoulos. It was when we ran this story, about a guy named Tommy Charalambopoulos who gutted a guy at Silver City. Tommy is Dimitri’s brother.
You know how it goes. Guilt by association. One Charalambopoulos slices guys up in strip clubs. The other Charalambopoulos takes up with reality TV stars. Must be a punk, right?
Wrong. I asked someone who knows the Charalambopoulos family about Dimitri. This person calls him a “sweet kid.” He’s apparently starting a health and nutrition business with Larry North’s little brother. The friend of the family describes Dimitri as “very self-disciplined and a caring father.”
Me? I’m undisciplined, and I’m an overbearing dad. Not only that, but I too often jump to conclusions, and my last name is dull.
So here’s to Dimitri Charalambopoulos! May he and Camille Grammer find happiness together. And may they bring into the world a few more Charalambopouloses.
Heather Hayler Arrested for Theft
As far as mugshots go, it could be worse. Personal shopper and stylist Heather Hayler was arrested on or about October 14. We called her a “taste maker” back in 2008. Simply because she was arrested for theft doesn’t mean she’s not a taste maker. I’d just like to point that out.
State Fair of Texas Picture of the Day: Oct. 19
Photo by Jason Janik
Check out our guide to plan your own trip to Fair Park.
Enter today (and today only) to win free State Fair tickets.
No Matter Who Wins, Arthur Rhodes Will Get a World Series Ring
Baseball is funny. Arthur Rhodes is a 42-year-old pitcher who started the year on the Texas Rangers. He was released in August. He thought his career was probably over. Certainly, he thought, his best chance to win a World Series had passed. A few days later he was signed by–you guessed it–the St. Louis Cardinals. Now the Rangers are paying all but $100,000 of his $1.2 million salary for Rhodes to pitch against them in the World Series. He’s actually been a teammate of every player playing in the series. (As you may remember, something similar happened last year with both Bengie Molina and Chris Ray.) After 20 years in baseball and no whiff of a championship, Rhodes says either way, he’ll take a ring.
Let’s Go, Rangers!
Someone in the comments just wondered about the lack of a “Let’s go, Rangers!” post, like the ones I did during the Mavericks’ magical run to the only thing I’ve ever wanted besides for eternal life and punctureless tires. You know, support all local teams equally. That brave commenter was right. So here you go.
Let’s go, Rangers! Let’s go, Rangers! Let’s go, Rangers! Let’s go, Rangers! Let’s go, Rangers! Let’s go, Rangers! Let’s go, Rangers! Let’s go, Rangers! Let’s go, Rangers! Let’s go, Rangers! Let’s go, Rangers! Let’s go, Rangers! Let’s go, Rangers! Let’s go, Rangers! Let’s go, Rangers! Let’s go, Rangers! Let’s go, Rangers! Let’s go, Rangers! Let’s go, Rangers! Let’s go, Rangers! Let’s go, Rangers! Let’s go, Rangers! Let’s go, Rangers! Let’s go, Rangers! Let’s go, Rangers! Let’s go, Rangers! Let’s go, Rangers! Let’s go, Rangers! Let’s go, Rangers! Let’s go, Rangers!
MLB Nixes Texas Rangers’ Request to Have Dirk Nowitzki Throw Out a First Pitch
The Big German was one of the team’s nominees to throw out a first pitch at one of their home games. But according to our pal, ESPN’s Marc Stein, Major League Baseball decided not to approve the request. Why? One possible reason: the NBA’s current labor unrest. A MLB spokesperson denies that. Here’s their reasoning:
“You want the club’s input in what makes sense for them and then we talk about what makes sense for the team and a good broad-base national appeal.”
I don’t even know what to tell you guys. OK. I’ll try. In other words, Dirk Nowitzki, the NBA’s MOST MARKETABLE PLAYER, has no broad-base national appeal. Bud Selig can go jump in a lake full of rusty pitchforks and food-deprived sharks.
Texas Rangers Win the Epic 2011 World Series in Seven Games
The Texas Rangers will defeat the St. Louis Cardinals in seven games, with the seventh game of the 2011 World Series decided in the 14th inning. The computers have spoken, and there’s no use in arguing with them.
But I will anyway. If, as they claim, David Murphy will have five home runs in the Series, then there’s no way the Cardinals are lasting seven games.
Eddie Bernice Johnson To Possibly Get Another Opponent
From the ever-busy Kurt Watkins, word came yesterday that Dallas lawyer Taj Clayton is thinking about a run for Congress – District 30 to be exact. That, of course, would be the seat that is currently held by Eddie Bernice Johnson, who already has one opponent  - Barbara Mallory Caraway.
Clayton, 35, Â is a Harvard alum – both for undergrad and his law degree. He’s married, has two kids, and volunteers with the KIPP Schools and is on the board of the Dallas Children’s Theater.
So the bigger question is this: What does this mean for Johnson’s campaign, with two opponents? Is the District 30 race shaping up to be one of the more interesting ones?
How 2011 World Series Hosts St. Louis and Arlington, Texas, Stack Up
Great work by the website of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch in comparing North Texas to St. Louis ahead of tonight’s World Series opener. I love that they take pains to note not just that Arlington is named after Robert E. Lee’s plantation in Virginia, but that he’s “failed Confederate general Robert E Lee.”
Here’s a bit that gives you a sense of the rest:
CULINARY HISTORY
St. Louis: Boasts several culinary innovations, most notable toasted ravioli, gooey butter cake, pork steaks and its own style of pizza. The 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis popularized the ice cream cone, hot dogs served on a bun, the hamburger, peanut butter, cotton candy and an obscure Texas soft drink called Dr. Pepper.
Texas: According to the Dallas Convention & Visitors Bureau, the frozen margarita machine was invented there.
Game 1 is at 7:05 p.m. tonight in St. Louis.
Things To Do In Dallas Tonight: Oct. 19
As you might know, the Rangers play the first game of the World Series tonight. Chances are, everything I say starting now is going to fall on deaf ears. But hang on for a second longer: Raya has picked out the best places to watch the game in case you weren’t willing to sell a kidney for seats and/or airfare, and Nancy is gathering recipe suggestions that don’t require roasting any real live Cardinals over a spit.
Okay. Goodbye, sports fans. Everyone else, hello. State Fair aficionados, this is really for you. The Dallas Center for Architecture picked A Fair to Remember for its October film. The 2007 documentary explores the history of the fair, from its humble (well, no, nothing about Texas is very humble) beginnings in 1886 to close to what it is today–a fried-food paradise. There’s archival footage, a woman singing a song about pink pre-cooked meat product, interviews, the works. Filmmakers Cynthia and Allen Mondel, who have stayed local, will be on hand for a talkback and Q&A after the screening. And if you haven’t stomped around the fair grounds for yourself yet, you’re running out of chances. We’re giving away four tickets this week. Just click here to enter, and then check out this week’s guide.
Also for those with a lack of desire to stare at a TV screen, BarBelmont hosts their Art With a View celebration for artist Fannie Brito, a medical doctor who left the profession to paint stuff. I admire her courage. Check out her work and have a drink. Unfortunately, it’s gotten a little chilly for the terrace, but there’s always the lobby lounge. Smoke is open until 10 p.m. tonight, so I’m hoping there’s a churro with my name on it (but the bar menu has the churros, too).
For more to do tonight, go here.
Ticket Giveaway: State Fair of Texas
If you’ve been dragging your heels on a visit to the State Fair, well, knock it off. It all ends this weekend, and we’ve got your chance to win four free passes to fried heaven, courtesy of Chevy. All you have to do is click here, and fill out the Wufoo form to win by midnight tonight. We’ll pick a winner on Thursday.
Once you’re at the Fair, consider dropping by Chevrolet Town Square. As I said in this week’s handy guide, they’ve got charging stations for phones–a nice perk. But what’s even better is the chance to pick up a free VIP wristband for FrontRow Live on Nov. 3, which gets you exclusive event access and a cool swag bag. Since you’re joining us that evening anyway, why not? You can track down the wristbands at the Cruze and Sonic Launch Pad.
Update: Since these are physical tickets, winners should plan to drop by our office to claim their tickets.
Leading Off (10/19/11)
Get a Fountain Just Like Those at Fountain Place. Yesterday, Neiman Marcus released its Christmas book. The release comes two weeks later than last year as shoppers are shopping later. Some of the more extravagant gifts include a million dollar fountain (designed by the same firm that designed Fountain Place’s fountains) and 10 2012 Ferrari FFs worth $395,000 each. As the recession continues on, more and more of the gifts in the catalog are more reasonably priced (i.e. less than $250). Personally, I’d like the “woman-cave,” which is much like the inside of the bottle on I Dream of Jeannie.
Ferris Wheel Possible Downtown. Dallas County Commissioners want to bring a 17-story Ferris wheel to the middle of Founders Plaza. It would follow the same idea as the observation decks/Ferris wheels in cities like London and Paris. If all goes according to plan, the Ferris wheel will be spinning by March 2012. And if all goes according to my plan, I will have an I Dream of Jeannie “woman-cave” in one of those seats.
Game 1 of World Series Tonight. Right. So. I’m on the bandwagon. I’ve watched some games now. (Still can’t get the channel changer to work, but have found a good bar.) And I’m pumped for tonight’s game. Here are a few articles talking about things about tonight’s game. I’d love to give you analysis, but it’s difficult as I’m just relearning baseball terms. So read and deduce for yourself.
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