Leading Off (12/16/11)

We Wished Everyone A Merry Christmas But You. Dallas Morning News metro columnist Jacquielynn Floyd only got three Christmas cards this year. That’s crazy. I mean, I had three by Thanksgiving. I have probably a good 30 right now, five with the same Pinterest baby-holding-a-string-of-lights idea. So why won’t anyone send Floyd a Christmas card? Was one of the three from Steve Blow? Hypothesize in the comments.

Fort Worth Vs. The Preacher. The subject? Acts of God.  Pastor Greg Beutel was driving down the street when he was rear-ended by a street light. His insurance company submitted a claim, and the city of Fort Worth rejected it, because the law says municipalities don’t have to pay for acts of God. Ballsy to take on an expert, Fort Worth, yes?

Florida Hooligans Pilfer Purses. Specifically, this gang of thieves (OK, now I’m picturing them in tights and Tommy Bahama shirts) targets women picking up their children from daycare. Even more specifically, they target ones who leave their cars running and unlocked, with the purse inside, while they run in. So don’t do that, or the Felony Lane Gang (no lie, that’s the name of the merry band of thieves) will get you. Consider yourself all PSA’d.

Tebow’d. The 12 billionth GOP Debate and Happy Funtime Banjo Hour happened last night. And then this happened. Twice.

Les balles Sont Effrayantes Quand Ils Sont Errent (Or Something Like That). The Lewis family is getting tired of their stuff – and their dog – getting hit by stray bullets from the nearby Paris Police Department shooting range.  The city says they’re addressing it, though.

Glenn Beck Finds A Place of His Own

I’m sure that after Glenn Beck withdrew his bid for his first choice of locations for his radio and TV facility, the old Gateway Church building in Southlake, many of you were holding your breath and wringing your hands. Where would the poor guy go?

Well, you can rest easy. Las Colinas will be the home of GBTV, with a soundstage that will hold 500 people that want to hear Glenn Beck.

Things To Do In Dallas Tonight: Dec. 15

Hey, have you guys been keeping up with FrontRow lately? Hunter Hauk’s been writing some really great stuff in lieu of a traditional year end list. Also, if you haven’t read this yet, you should.

Is it really only Thursday? What a week it’s been. And speaking of weeks, if you’re a fan of the one devoted to sharks, there’s a great chance to check out the Museum of Nature and Science’s Predator or Prey exhibit tonight, where you’ll find full-sized replicas, zillion year old (slight hyperbole) fossils, interviews and video footage of shark attack survivors, and memorabilia from Jaws, the movie that really put the fear of fin in us all. The Beer and Bones event also offers foodstuffs, a cash bar, and live music for you to enjoy as you explore the museum after-hours.

I know you’ve seen the 10 Most Beautiful Women in Dallas. We celebrated these pretty ladies just last week, in fact. But I think we have one for party in us. The Warwick Melrose Hotel is throwing a celebration for Aubree-Anna, one of our winners who regulars at the Library Bar will recognize for both her beauty and her vocal talents. The party (in the hotel ballroom, rather than the bar) includes champagne, heavy appetizers, and of course, a performance by Aubree-Anna.

For more to do this evening, go here.

Leading Off (12/15/11)

Hit-and-Run Accident Leads to Intoxication Manslaughter and Murder. According to Arlington police, Thomas Harper allegedly was involved in a hit-and-run accident with two others cars on Collins Street. He then fled the scene, going 100 mph down Collins with other cars chasing him, according to witnesses. Then he smashed into a Dodge truck parked at the intersection of Collins and Brown, killing the driver. Then when a man approached the wreckage of Harper’s Escalade, Harper apparently shot him. During all of this, his toddler son and daughter were in the backseat.

Prosper Police Handing Out Gift Cards Instead of Tickets. At least to some people with good traffic habits. But you’re still getting pulled over, so I don’t know. Pass.

Here’s the CBS 11 News Team’s Favorite Holiday Recipes. Because I always have to do Leading Off the morning after the office holiday party.

DISD Votes Tomorrow on Extending TFA Contract

Teach for America, an organization that recruits recent college graduates to serve as teachers in under-resourced schools, came to Dallas two years ago. And now it’s time for the Dallas ISD trustees to decide whether they should extend TFA’s contract. Based on the board briefing last week, I didn’t think there’d be much to debate. I figured it would be a consent agenda at tomorrow night’s trustee meeting. Turns out, it’s been pulled for a separate vote.

I have a couple friends who are TFA teachers. I’ve visited one of their classrooms and have heard them talk about their experiences. I think they do good work. One of the big complaints about TFA is that their corps members leave after their 2-year obligation. (We ran an article in December from a TFA teacher and her decision to leave.) But the stats from TFA’s first two years seemed to indicate that these teachers are worth it.

So here’s what the vote’s about: the district is looking at signing a contract to spend up to $3 million in the next five years to bring in more TFA teachers.

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Leading Off (12/14/11)

Fifth Park Could Be Built Downtown. The first weekend my husband and I moved downtown, I had a small, tiny, hardly significant breakdown. My parents live on 640 acres. I’m used to being surrounded by land and grass and trees. So when I stepped out of the car and realized I had just moved to the middle of a concrete jungle, I had my moment. But then I discovered Main Street Garden. I have loved that park ever since. And if this fifth park gets built and connects Deep Ellum and downtown, I’m assuming I will love it as much as I do Main Street Garden.

Vintage Car Returned To Owner. Here’s a story with a happy ending. Stan Aiton bought a 1962 Dodge Lancer, the same vehicle he had when he met his wife. He finished it out with parts he’d had since he was a teenager. Then, in July, someone stole it. That someone then sold it to a restoration shop in Fort Worth. The restoration owners thought something odd was going on and started researching the car, thus finding Aiton. The car’s been returned, and almost everything ends well, except—Aiton sold the trailer he used to haul around the car one hour before he was told it was found. You just can’t win ‘em all.

Woman’s Fight With Breast Cancer Inspires Community. Here’s a good story to start your day on. I won’t take anything from the reporting the folks at WFAA did. Just know that this is all about the community of Stephenville surrounding and supporting one of its teachers as she battles breast cancer. It’s very sweet.