Articles for November 19th, 2012
If You’re Driving Northbound on I35, Near Waco, Get Off and Relax For Six Hours
TXDOT closes all lanes I-35 NB south of Waco near Troy.18 veh wreck w/4 semis, 1 death. Closed 4-6 hours.Wreck at exit 314. #wfaanews
— Brad Watson (@watsonwfaa) November 19, 2012
Atop the News 10 live truck. N I-35 traffic backed up for miles on the access road. #news10cam kwtx instagr.am/p/SOh67WwmY0/
— Matt Howerton (@MattHowerton) November 19, 2012
If you have family/friends headed to DFW on I-35 NB from S of Waco, warn them about major accident.35 closed for next 4-6 hrs.@nbcdfw
— Brian Curtis (@BrianCurtisNBC5) November 19, 2012
JFK Assassination Video Game Not at All Crass
According to the game description:
Something mysterious is brewing in Texas. What could Dallas, the assassination of President Kennedy, and a pink teddy bear have in common? Lainey Wells has been having dreams centered around Dallas, the assassination of President Kennedy, and a pink teddy bear. Yearning to cure her condition, she travels to Dealey Plaza to discover what ties her to the President’s untimely death. It becomes clear that someone is steering her towards a specific goal, but who or what guides her hand?
More curious folks can download Lost Secrets: November 1963 here.
Reviews have been so-so:
Maybe this is what tomorrow’s big announcement is about?
Judge Suggests Union Mediation; Twinkies Live?
At this point, either live or die, Hostess. I’m tired of all the yanking around.
The Wall Street Journal is reporting that a bankruptcy judge in New York has suggested mediation between the company and one of its largest unions, the incredibly named Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International.
So, for now, a stay of execution.
How The Nasher Can Get Back At Museum Tower
Let’s be clear: what I am about to present to you will in no way fix the damaged relationship between the Nasher Sculpture Center and Museum Tower. In fact, if implemented to my specifications, my proposal will probably permanently ruin any chance that the two entities will come to some sort of peaceable coexistence. I’m not necessarily suggesting that the Nasher do what I am advocating. I’m also not not suggesting that. But they probably won’t, because it involves pornography. Obviously.
Ghosts of Dallas: SMU’s Dallas Hall, 1914
“Two women and a man stand in front of Dallas Hall at SMU,” circa 1914.
Share your own Ghosts of Dallas.
John Eagle, Deedie Rose Put Heat on Museum Tower
John Eagle and Deedie Rose today have penned an op-ed in the Morning News that minces no words when it comes to solving the problem of light and heat reflecting off Museum Tower. Their piece begins:
It is time for Museum Tower to put an end to the damage it is causing not only to the Nasher but also to the Dallas Arts District and to the reputation of Dallas.
I wish I could share the entire thing with you. It’s behind the paywall. As many people as possible should read it. Here’s how it wraps up:
We, on behalf of other concerned Dallas residents and patrons of the arts, including Mary McDermott Cook, John Dayton, Bess Enloe, Nash Flores, Jeremy Halbreich, Howard Hallam, Marguerite Hoffman, Caren Prothro and Howard Rachofsky, call upon Museum Tower leaders to take responsibility and implement the louver solution that is available today.
The louver system they refer to would cost $7.5 million and could be up and running in one year. The louvers are actually computer-controlled screens that would be programmed to unroll at certain times of the day, as the season and sun dictated, to prevent light from bouncing off Museum Tower and into both the Nasher’s garden and indoor galleries. The animation above shows the panels, one for each of the facade’s 1,000 windows, unrolling and retracting in the pattern that would prevail during summer months. The great thing about this solution is that it’s not only affordable and proven (the Hegau Tower, in Germany, uses the system), but I think it would actually make Museum Tower more interesting. People would come downtown just to see that thing work. Museum Tower would be intimately connected to the Nasher in a beautiful way.
UPDATE (2:57): With Deedie Rose’s permission, here is the entire text of the op-ed she wrote with John Eagle:
(more…)
Mark Cuban Spends 1,700 Words Reminding You Why Facebook Sucks
Last week, Mark Cuban told you Facebook sucked. This week, he spends 1,666 words – you can unpack that, philosophically, if you’d like – telling you why.
From a post entitled “What I Really Think About Facebook,” lest you be concerned that Cuban was, for once, not telling you what he really thinks:
FB is what it is. Its a time waster. That’s not to say we don’t engage, we do. We click, share and comment because it’s mindless and easy.  But for some reason FB doesn’t seem to want to accept that it’s best purpose in life is as a huge time suckplatform that we use to keep up with friends, interests and stuff.  I think that they are over thinking what their network is all about.
And:
I also think that FB is making a big mistake by trying to play games with their original mission of connecting the world. FB is a fascinating destination that is an amazing alternative to boredom which excels in its SIMPLICITY. One of the threats in any business is that you outsmart yourself. FB has to be careful of just that.
Cuban’s post was written at 1:18 a.m., when the most logical, cogent arguments are made.
Investors Buy Massive Chunk of Henderson Avenue
Two investors have purchased 28 buildings along Henderson Avenue, the Morning News just reported. The exact buildings weren’t announced, but the total sale price could top $50 million. The properties all sit between Central Expressway and Ross Avenue, and the new owners say they plan to continue to expand and improve the lots.
Let’s try to figure out what Henderson could use, shall we?
1. Deli- This is indicative of the city in whole, but especially Henderson.
2. Pho- Maybe this is just because I’m tired of driving all the way to Garland to get reasonable pho. And YES, I’ve been to Mai’s; meh.
3. Live music venue- This is tricky in East Dallas due to noise regulations, but I imagine a smallish venue (a la the departed La Grange) would do well here.
Nationalize the Twinkie, President Obama
That’s the goal of a new petition that’s found its way to the White House:
We the undersigned, hereby request Barack Obama to immediately Nationalize the Twinkie industry and prevent our nation from losing her sweet creamy center.
The request is tagged with both “Civil Rights and Liberties” and “Human Rights.” So far, 3,417 citizens have signed on.
Meanwhile, Hostess is spending today in bankruptcy court, trying to figure out to do with all these 100-calorie donut packs that clearly no one wants.
Things To Do In Dallas Tonight: Nov. 19
Dallas Film Society’s James Faust, guest at tonight’s event, in a photo by the talented Jeanne Prejean.
Former presidential candidate and future moon colony leader Newt Gingrich is in town with the moon’s future first lady, Callista. The duo definitely have been busy since the whole White House bid didn’t work out, writing books about patriotic things such as pilgrims and the battle of Yorktown. If you’re into that, they’re signing copies at the Barnes and Noble across from NorthPark. Otherwise, I’ll just leave you with this amazing photo from Gingrich’s visit to the University of Texas.
For real, though. Tonight, the Dallas Institute of Humanities and Culture hosts a Speaking of Movies class with discussions usually led by film expert and psychologist Dr. Scott Churchill and Dr. Larry Allums, the institute’s director. The special guest is Dallas Film Society’s James Faust, and Churchill will be in attendance, as well.
Because I am a good Samaritan whose other good qualities include humbleness, I thought I’d alert you that this is pretty much your last chance to seen Skyfall on 35 mm at the Texas Theatre. The franchise addition is Peter Simek-approved. Vulture did some heroic investigative work and figured out if, in fact, James Bond could really fight in bespoke suits as tight as Daniel Craig’s attire. Anyway, go for a super dignified dinner at Lockhart (Mesa’s sadly not open on Mondays), get a drink at the theater bar and then see this movie. You really can’t go wrong.
For more to do this evening, go here.
Here’s a Video of the Thomas Building Implosion
Though the Morning News wrote extensively about its impending doom, some area residents felt ill-notified about the implosion. Via Reddit:
Got woken up by a loud loud sound and dust and debris everywhere thinking it was an attack or major accident
If it makes you feel better it seems very very few people remembered it was today, even those who lived nearby. I think I saw one article about it and it didn’t sink in. The lady that worked the front desk of my apartment building (like 2 blocks from the demo site!) had the same thing, read an article, and then didn’t hear about it again. I don’t think there was much effort to notify nearby building because I saw 0 flyers around my building and there is much speculation that the permit and demo was rushed to prevent any possibility of a historical designation from preventing whatever plans were made for the lot.
Woman Assaulted on Katy Trail
As [runner Anna Chrysikopoulos] hopped back on the trail, she says a man grabbed her from behind.
She said, the man “wrapped one of his arms, like he’s trying to grab my hip and pull me backwards, and then he didn’t really get a good grip and I was screaming, and he ran off.”
A fellow runner stopped to make sure she was fine, still Chrysikopoulos was shaken up.
“I think he was trying to grab me, take me,” she said.
I used to live in Uptown, and used the trail regularly. I’ve seen people using it as a toilet, and we all know about the coyotes. Long story short: the trail feels safe, but isn’t.
Heads, swivels, etc.
City to Announce JFK Memorial Plans Tomorrow
A year from now, we’ll be inundated with Time stories, 60 Minutes stories, and faux-reverent Chris Berman voiceovers on Monday Night Football, all explaining the importance of Nov. 22, 1963.
But tomorrow, we’ll find out what the city will be up to. At 2 p.m., Mayor Mike Rawlings will announce the plans for the 2013 memorial event. Why they decided to host this press conference two days before the anniversary is beyond me. Seems like a wasted opportunity for some “One year from today…” sound bites.
Centennial Beverage Is Closing Shops Across D-FW
We got a few emails from in-the-know folks over the weekend, reminding us that, oh yeah, Centennial Beverage Group isn’t doing too well:
They closed 1 Majestic store last night, and 9 more stores have been informed that today will be their last day of business. Have heard they are closing both Arlington Bottle Shoppe’s as well as the Majestic in Weatherford and Hudson Oaks. The remaining stores closing are Majestic stores in Ft Worth, based on my info.
All sorts of rumors, speculation, and probably soon-to-be-disputed aspersions in the other emails.
I called the Majestic in Weatherford, and a woman picked up the phone.
“They shut us down Saturday, 9 o’clock. We’re packing up today.”
Back in April, Tim reported that the company was $4,756,702 behind on its state taxes, which sounds like a lot of Smirnoff Ice. So I took a stroll through the TABC’s official credit law delinquent list this morning, did a quick Command+F for “Centennial,” and look what popped up:
Leading Off (11/19/12)
Ann Margolin Will Not Seek Reelection: The last time the district 13 city council seat was vacant, Ann Margolin beat-out Brint Ryan in what was the most expensive campaign for a single council seat in city history. Now Margolin, a respected voice on the council, has suddenly and surprisingly decided to not seek an additional term in 2013, citing “personal obligations.”
Arlington Gym Teacher Sued By Student: The student in question, Alyssa White, has a medical condition. She is also a star soccer goalie. When she was late for gym class one day at Ferguson Junior High, her gym teacher punished the student by making her run strenuous exercises. A lawsuit now claims that those exercises landed White in the hospital and jeopardized the student’s potential soccer career.
Another Piece of Dallas History Destroyed: The 88-year-old Thomas building was imploded Sunday. As we learned awhile back, the building, described as a “relic of when cotton was king,” was razed, its Charlotte-based owners said, because of the high cost of asbestos and disrepair.
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