Articles for November, 2011
Museum of Nature & Science Reaches $185-Million Goal
Intern Jessica Melton covered this morning’s announcement from the museum.
The Museum of Nature & Science hosted a special event this morning to announce a $6 million donation from the Moody Foundation, marking the last amount needed to reach the museum’s $185-million goal.
The Perot Museum of Nature & Science is being built on a 4.7-acre at 1155 Broom St. It will now feature a Moody Family Children’s Museum and Robert and Anne Moody forum for children to come together and reflect upon what they learned in their time at the museum.
Franci Moody Dahlberg, trustee and executive director for the Moody Foundation, presented the donation and said she was “delighted” to be a part of the project.
After the donation was announced, a banner was let down saying the Perot Museum of Nature & Science: $185 million and counting.
“We didn’t really know we were going to get that ($185 million),” Forrest Hoglund says. “We’re going to build on this.”
The latter part of the sentence proved to be important as Hoglund noted the $185 million will allow the museum to be built, but to reach a world-class level they will still be seeking donations.
Things To Do In Dallas Tonight: Nov. 17
If your apartment resembles the set of a certain Joseph Gordon-Levitt movie, you really only have one option tonight.
Morrissey, ex-Smith’s crooner and icon for disenfranchised youth everywhere, is here at long last. Over on FrontRow, Christopher Mosley was extremely excited when this show was announced back in September. He’s not any less excited now. Something to look forward to: the 52-year-old taking off his designer shirt and flinging it into the audience at least a couple times during the night. The smallish McFarlin auditorium still has nice seats available, for all you last-minute types, but maybe plan to bring a pocket pack of Kleenex just in case your emotions overwhelm.
I encourage those in the SMU neighborhood earlier in the day, maybe around lunch, to drop by the DeGolyer Library. It has a really cool (and yes, fine, somewhat nerdy) exhibit right now showcasing 175 years of Texas literary history, from pre-Independence fiction to the first novel ever printed in Fort Worth. Of course, work by notables like Katherine Anne Porter, William Humphrey, William Goyen, and Larry McMurtry is also on display. Unfortunately, the library closes at 5 p.m., so you can’t just hide out there until Morrissey takes the stage. The original Campisi’s? Fireside Pies? Right this second, I really want pizza. But should you feel like something else tonight, check out a wealth of nearby options.
For more to do this evening, go here.
Southwest Airlines To Be Subject of TLC Show
Do you know what you get if you get a few national headlines for giving Kevin Smith, Billie Joe Armstrong and that lady from “The L Word” a hard time? Your own series on TLC.
Of course, this isn’t the first time the airline got the TV treatment. Back in 2004, it was the subject of an A&E series, “Airline.” For the record, TLC says the recent controversy has nothing to do with the network’s interest.
“Air travel has become incredibly accessible, and as a result, millions of travelers navigate the challenges of the airport, especially during the upcoming holiday season,” said TLC general manager Amy Winter in the statement. “Southwest is a beloved brand, and their customers and employees will reveal the passion, commitment, and fantastic payoff of ‘getting there’ that helps keep us all flying.”
Leading Off (11/17/11)
Dallas Police Clear Occupy Dallas Encampment. Here’s a timeline of what went down.
I’m Thinking of a Number Between 1 and 50. Can you guess what it is?
Talks Between American Airlines and Pilots’ Union Break Down. Unfortunately, that has caused them to cancel more games, and it looks like the entire season may be in jeopardy.
North Texas Super Bowl Host Committee Expects $7.15 Million Surplus. They’re going to set aside $2 million for another bid, and spend the rest on figuring out what to do when it snows or ices over or whatever next time.
It’s Not 1. Or 50. But good try, I guess.
Mark Cuban Named CEO of the Year
First the NBA championship, now this.
Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban was revealed as the 2011 CEO of the Year by D CEO magazine last night, at an event hosted by SMU’s Cox School of Business. It’s a peer-recognition award, selected by hundreds of North Texas CEOs who participated in SMU’s annual CEO Sentiment Survey.
In a December issue D CEO profile, Cuban said he loves “the Sport of Business. It is the ultimate competition, and I think any CEO can relate to the idea that if you love what you do, the rest is easy.”
Emmitt Smith Will Watch Football With You For $22,000
If you’re like me, you probably ask yourself at least once a month: “How much money would it take to get the best running back of all time to watch a football game with me?” Now we have an answer: $22,000. It’s part of the “Miller Lite Homegating Experience,” and they say 100 percent of the final sale price goes toward the Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund. And what do you get for your 22 large? Apparently you can have a “reasonable” number of people over to meet the player (they define reasonable as 15-30) and he’ll sign autographs “within reason.” You have to provide the TV, and you’ll have to make room for 2 or 3 representatives from Miller. Also, you must never ask Emmitt to pass you the queso.
w long will the player be at my house?
A: The player will stay for the duration of the game.
A: The player will stay for the duration of the game.
Q: How many friends can I invite over? How many additional people will the player bring?
A: You can invite a reasonable amount (between 15-30 people) of friends and family. Keep in mind the event will take place in your living room so space may be a factor. The players will bring with them 2 or 3 representatives from MillerCoors.
Q: Can we take pictures and request autographs?
A: Photos and autographs will be permitted, within reason.
Q: Do I need to own a TV?
A: Yes. You are solely responsible for providing viewing capabilities of the respective highlighted game (which may require DirecTV, satellite, etc.)
Q: Will my name be used for publicity? Will the event be filmed?
A: Yes, your name may be used for publicity and pictures from the event may be posted on the Seller’s website and www.facebook.com/millerlite. Local media may be alerted that you won and will be invited, but we cannot guarantee they will attend.
Q: What if I have additional questions not addressed here?
A: Contact us by using the “ask seller a question” link at the bottom of the page.
Carolyn Davis and Vonciel Jones Hill Don’t Like Meetings
Over on the DMN’s City Hall Blog, there’s a good item about two councilwomen who think the city shouldn’t keep track of which councilmembers actually show up at meetings. Back when Tom Leppert was mayor, he noticed a problem. Some councilmembers were showing up for meetings, but after they were counted present and the meetings got under way, the councilmembers were ducking out. So now there’s a city staffer who records exactly how much of the meeting the councilmembers actually attend. Councilwoman Vonciel Jones Hill calls it “a dumb rule.” And Councilwoman Carolyn Davis calls the monitoring “totally, totally, totally unfair,” but then she confessed that she didn’t know what they were talking about.
Things To Do In Dallas Tonight: Nov. 16
This morning, I ordered my best friend’s Christmakkuh (sue me, I loved The O.C. before they killed off Mischa Barton) present so it has to time to get to me, get wrapped, and re-shipped to Staten Island. Yesterday at the grocery store, I realized that candy canes are getting cozy on the shelves beside the Libby’s canned pumpkin. Annoyingly cheery red cups have taken over Starbucks. All signs point to the holidays.
So, if we’re all making like Hallmark here, we might as well go whole hog. The annual Chi Omega Christmas Market starts tonight, and runs through Saturday. If you’re bound and determined not to procrastinate on getting gifts for everyone on your list, this is a good place to start. Tickets are a little pricier than other days, but remember, it all goes to charity. You get first pick of all the stuff, plus don’t miss artist Brad Oldham (unveiling a new series of sculptures), Kimberly Schlegel Whitman (signing copies of her new book), and bluegrass/Celtic/country singer Heather McCready (performing Christmas carols, naturally).
This year’s beneficiaries include the Child Abuse Prevention Center, Girl Scouts of North Texas, The Make-A-Wish Foundation of North Texas, Mercy Street, New Friends New Life, Parkland Health & Hospital System, The Elisa Project, and Chi Omega collegiate scholarships.
Whenever I think about The Doors, I think about car trips and golden oldies on the radio. I also think about the terrible screenplay I penned my last year in college. A character particularly likes (or liked, I suppose, the whole thing is on desk-drawer status) Jim Morrison, and I spent days with the band’s catalogue on repeat. Two of the bands members, Ray Manzarek and Robby Krieger, have attempted to carry on the musical tradition best they can without Morrison and drummer John Densmore. They’ll perform tonight at the House of Blues, and you can still get tickets.
For more to do this evening, go here.
New License Plate Law Kind of Screwed Up
So you know what happens when you wait until the last day of the legislative session to pass a whole flurry of bills? Some of them end up missing things, things that change the entire purpose of the law. Like in Arkansas a couple years ago, when they unintentionally made it OK to marry a baby, or something, by accident. Or this past legislative session in Texas, when they accidentally gave a law designed to make it a bigger deal to not have or obscure a license plate, but instead kind of gave it no teeth by forgetting the fine, apparently.
I’m no lawyer, or I’d be off lawyering and making big bank and scaring people. And man, I’d have this giant house with a maid that would just do floors, all day long. And two dogs – Herve Villechaize and Nipsey Russell. What was I saying? Right. I’m no lawyer, but if I got a ticket for missing a license plate after this law goes into effect, since the AG’s office will take six months to rule on the legalities, I might just fight it. I think.
Downtown Prepares for the Holidays
Photo taken by Noah Jeppson from the fourth floor of his apartment building.
Starting sometime last week, the folks behind City Lights (Downtown Dallas Inc., Neiman Marcus, the City of Dallas, Downtown Residents Council, Planet Productions, and Excitement Technologies Group) started making downtown a bit brighter. They shut off streets, pulled out cherry pickers, and strung 3,882 lights (3,800 C9 bulbs, 32 LED pars, and 50 12-inch LED strips–I know you wanted to know specifics). I ran into Jaime Clintsman, events coordinator at Downtown Dallas Inc., last night and we watched as this orb/ball/sphere was hung into place. For someone who has been working nonstop for the past week (as has the entire staff), she sure seemed happy. She promised DDI has a lot of tricks up its sleeves, and that we’re all in for a good show on Saturday. This photo was taken by neighbor Noah Jeppson. I don’t think I’m ruining any of the surprises, because unless you’re Jeppson or one of his neighbors, I doubt you’ll get to view the show from above.
Of course, the tree in Main Street Garden will be lit as well. I’ve made it known how I feel about that thing. Regardless, I’m pretty excited for Saturday night.
Leading Off (11/16/11)
Stars Lose. Hard. I was remiss last week to not mention the Stars’ latest win and that they had the best record in the NHL. Oh, what a difference a week can make. Unfortunately, they’ve lost the last three games. But they can turn it around. And we can all cheer for them. Because if there’s anything I know about hockey, it’s that it’s conducive to bandwagoning. (I know. That didn’t make sense. But I really know nothing about hockey.)
Beck Backs Out of Plans. Glenn Beck was supposed to move his media empire to a church in Southlake. City Council was going to hear plans for it on Tuesday, but Beck called to say the building didn’t meet his needs. That’s the only excuse he gave. But I think we know the real reason. Patty Minder met with Beck to voice some concerns the neighborhood had about Beck moving in. The neighbors wanted better fencing and a light that wouldn’t stay on all night. Obviously, those terms were not agreeable.
Occupy Dallas Enters Day 42. But will they make it to day 43? Only time will tell. Favorite quote from this video, “You’ve got to stop using marijuana on the premises, if that has been happening,” said Occupy Dallas lawyer Jonathan Winocour. There also may had been something mentioned about denying “desires to pleasure yourselves.” Just watch the video.
TXI Gets Permission To Burn Even More Hazardous Waste
Earlier this month, we learned that North Texas has the worst air in the state, even worse than Houston’s. Now the folks at Downwinders at Risk inform us that TXI has gotten permission from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to burn 12 new kinds of hazardous waste in its cement kiln — and it got this permission without ever serving public notice, fielding comments, or holding a hearing, and based solely on data from other cement plants. From Downwinders:
“This is the worst case of intentionally avoiding public participation since 1987, when the same company began burning hazardous waste without public knowledge” said Jim Schermbeck, director of Downwinders at Risk, the DFW-based group originally formed to fight the burning of wastes in Midlothian cement kilns in 1994. “State and company officials have learned nothing from the past 20 years except how to further exclude the public from decisions about these cement plants affecting our health and property.”
And:
TCEQ gave TXI the new permit without any public notice or chance to challenge it despite the fact that TXI is on the EPA’s “Watch List” of 1600 “High Priority Violators” identified last week through an investigation by National Public Radio.
If you breathe air, you should read this entire story, and you should be upset.
Words With Friends Helps Launch New Ford
On Nov. 15, from 11pm to midnight EST, fans in the U.S. can collectively play Words With Friends against celebrity Jenny McCarthy, who will be at an event in Los Angeles. While they do, a full reveal photo of the new 2013 Ford Escape will be exposed on giant screens. The new Escape will debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show tomorrow.
Crystal Worthem, manager of brand content and alliances for Ford, said players can submit word suggestions through a live-stream chat. The game will also be live-streamed at www.Facebook.com/fordescape and livestream.com/ford so fans at home can play along, too.
“We’re calling it ‘Jenny McCarthy versus the world,’” Worthem said.
Gordon Keith Takes His Tired Bits to Dallas Morning News
I have long maintained that Gordon Keith, he of Ticket fame, is the most overrated, pompous, bearded comedian in town. Several studies have shown that his column in Quick is what finally caused that publication to fold. But now the paper is letting him write op-eds. Today, Keith nominated the Barnett Shale for Texan of the Year. It’s behind the paywall, so here’s a taste:
I could nominate Dirk Nowitzki, the happiest German in D-FW. The Teutonic baller not only brought us an NBA title this year, but also the worst rendition of “We Are the Champions” in recorded human history. Musically, Dirk sounded exactly like Freddy Mercury, if Freddy Mercury were being water-boarded with a bullfrog lodged in his throat.
John Wiley Price could be nominated for bringing more law enforcement to our city. Unfortunately, it was to investigate him.
It is at this point that the stockholders of AH Belo Corp should begin dumping their shares.
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