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Notes From the Museum of Nature & Science Shindig Last Night

If you’ve seen the two large white tents just north of Woodall Rodgers, on the edge of Victory, and wondered what they were for, it wasn’t the circus. The tents were erected to accommodate the groundbreaking for the MNS’ new building and to host last night’s big gala fundraiser. How’d it go, you ask? Check out Sweet Charity’s report. The only details that I’d add to her dispatch are these:

The missus and I were seated at dinner with a bunch of Hillwood guys. It was loud in that tent. But not so loud that they couldn’t hear me when I broke the ice by asking, “So what’s the deal, anyway, with Victory? You guys defaulted to the Germans, right?” One tablemate was kind enough to tell me all about the current state of affairs at Victory, but his comments were off the record. (Jealous?) Finally, Kent Rathbun catered. If I’m not mistaken, he’s lost weight. Looking good. And the short ribs were scrumptious.

Why Ross Perot Has the President in His Hip Pocket

Speaking here yesterday, FOX political analyst Brit Hume credited Dallas’ Ross Perot Sr.–he called him the “little guy” with the charts–for first focusing public attention on federal budget deficits during Perot’s run for the presidency in 1992. Back then the annual deficit was around $250 billion; today’s it’s upwards of $1.6 trillion. So, when we bumped into the billionaire businessman at last night’s bash for the Museum of Nature & Science, we asked if he sees any hope for getting the current deficit under control. “Not right now, because they’re printing money left and right,” Perot replied. “I thought our numbers were bad [in '92], but the ones today are makin’ our numbers look good.” Then, with a flourish, he pulled a crisp new bill out of his wallet and held it up, grinning. It had President Obama’s picture in the middle and the inscription, “One Trillion Dollars.” [FB commenter "Parker," I did this one especially for you.]

Leading Off (11/20/09): Patently Unfair Media Criticism Edition

1. The Dallas Observer’s Sam Merten nearly derailed the entire City Hall corruption case.

2. Some people would say that the appearance of the word “some” in a headline is a sure sign of a newspaper covering for a thin local angle on a national story.

3. If a fire breaks out in east Fort Worth, and NBC5 isn’t there to provide “team coverage,” does anybody care?

Hensarling: Build a Bank Fund, And It Will be Used

Dallas’ own Jeb Hensarling is among the opposition speaking out against financial regulatory reform legislation approved by the House Financial Services Committee today. One of the measures would require big banks to pay fees into a $150 billion fund to be used in case one of them fails.

Here’s what “the GOP’s Most Powerful Nobody” said:

“Pre-funding the fund would lead to more bailouts because the fund would be sitting and available to be used,” said Rep. Jeb Hensarling, R-Texas. “If you build it they will come, it will create an expectation that the fund would be used.”

Brit Hume: 2010 May Look Like ‘94

Veteran newsman Brit Hume says Democrats are in “fairly serious trouble” because unemployment–the most important economic indicator in political terms–is likely to remain above 10 percent through 2010. Speaking at a Dallas luncheon today, the senior political commentator for FOX News (pictured) also said most Americans are more concerned with budget deficits than with reforming health care, especially after passage of the “bloated, reckless,” $787 billion stimulus bill. While President Obama has bet the ranch on health reform, Hume said, the public believes the reform tab will only worsen the deficit at a time when they’re “really worried about it.”

The president has pressed so hard on health care–and on other initiatives like climate-change legislation–because he knows that, with next year’s elections looming, it’s now or never, the newsman said. So, “what will President Obama do if he and his party suffer major losses next year?” Hume asked. He doubts the “quite liberal” president will move to the right, as Bill Clinton did after Democrats were rousted in the 1994 elections, but “that’s a decision [Obama] will face,” he said. Hume was guest speaker at the Salvation Army’s annual Doing the Most Good luncheon at the Anatole.

Allison V. Smith Takes Pretty Pictures of Marfa

A purple-pants-wearing FrontBurnervian passes along a link from today’s NYT of a slide show of Marfa foodie images taken by sometime D Magazine contributor Allison V. Smith. See it with your eyes. Now.

Craig’s List Ad of the Day

I saw this from David Burrows’ Twitter feed. The ad begins:

633 Direct seeks slightly obsessive, but non-psycho sales rep. We are seeking two sales reps who will relentlessly pursue new business like contestants on Survivor pursue food. We’d rather you not be totally nuts — we’ve had reps like that, and it didn’t work out so well — but slightly obsessive is okay with us.

Leading Off (11/19/09)

1. WFAA told the story of TxDOT using untested equipment to protect HOV lanes. Several accidents (and some deaths) have occurred while this untested equipment was being used. In October, however, some of this equipment was replaced. This new equipment was tested. It can withstand up to 200 hits. I’m not a great driver, so anything TxDOT can do to make the roads safer is fine by me.

2. Last week, I told you Texans were optimistic, saving more, and spending less. I also maybe brought up the whole war on Christmas thing. But let’s not argue about that. Instead, let’s talk about this survey, which tells us Texans are ready for the holidays. Based on a report by Deloitte, Texans will be spending more money on this year’s holidays than people in other parts of the country. Most of that money will be spent on entertainment. So start throwing some parties.

3. Another publication folded yesterday as J.C. Penney announced this year would be its last “big book” as people would rather order online than from a catalog. But don’t worry, journalism students. An old Dallas Morning News with JFK’s signature went for $39,000 at an auction recently. So, see, newspapers are worth something. And my education was not a waste.

Mary Kay Making Bank in China

The Addison-based cosmetics company says its sales in China are up 20 percent over last year, according to this piece on Slate.  Because its usual direct-sales method was outlawed until a few years ago, Mary Kay has had to work differently there, doing most of its selling out of showrooms.

Its Shanghai corporate office prominently displays maxims of founder Mary Kay Ash, in both Mandarin and English. Here’s a noteworthy tidbit:

The uplifting talk and homilies strike a lot of Americans as hokey. But in Shanghai, aspirational phrases are part of the lingua franca. We heard the motto for Shanghai’s upcoming Expo 2010 repeated for us several times yesterday: “Better Life, Better City.”

So there’s something that Shanghai and Dallas have in common: Aspirational phrases are part of the lingua franca here too: “Live Large. Think Big,” anyone?

Perot Jr. Says New Museum Has Room to Expand

Does Ross Perot Jr. know something we don’t? Speaking at today’s groundbreaking for the new Museum of Nature & Science at Dallas’ struggling Victory Park, which he helped develop, Perot said, “Mr. Mayor! Where is the mayor?!” before pointing to City Councilmember Dwaine Caraway, sitting in the audience down front. Mayor Pro Tem Caraway (pictured at far left with Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Pauline Medrano and Perot) is not quite the mayor yet, but he’ll be well-positioned if Tom Leppert ever steps down to run for the Senate. Leppert, who’s in China, nonetheless made a video appearance at today’s bash for the museum, a $185 million project that got a jump-start when Ross Jr. and his siblings donated $50 million in honor of their parents, Margot and Ross Perot Sr. The 14-story edifice on 4.7 acres can’t hurt the Victory project, which has been attempting lately to attract a better tenant/demographic mix. And, Ross Jr. said, “What people don’t understand is there’s enough room here for the museum to double in size.”

Dallas Thinks it Looks Good in Skinny Jeans

According to a new report, a good number of the fat people of our fair city don’t think there’s anything wrong with them:

The study, based on survey data collected in Dallas, found that one in 10 participants — all of whom were classified as obese — were satisfied with their body size and didn’t think they needed to lose a few.

“That is a sizeable percentage who don’t understand they are overweight and believe they are healthy,” said lead researcher Tiffany Powell, a cardiology fellow at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas.

An Abundance of Bushes at the Meyerson

No fewer than three George Bushes were on stage for an event at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center Monday night, including Jeb Bush’s son George P. P’s Uncle George, the former president known as W, referred interestingly to W’s dad, the one called George H.W., as “the real President Bush.” Then 43 talked some about the book he’s writing, saying it would tackle subjects ranging from 9/11, Afghanistan, and Iraq to Hurricane Katrina, his “freedom agenda,” and the financial meltdown. “My hope is that when objective history is finally written, that historians will use [the book] as a basis to understand our times,” W said. Then he proceeded to read an irreverant “excerpt” from the tome that had 1,000+ people rolling in the aisles. SweetCharity has the details.

Leading Off (11/18/09)

1. There’s nothing wrong here. At all. But at least seven judges who oversee criminal cases have hired the wife of Dallas County District Attorney Craig Watkins as a political consultant for their 2010 reelection campaigns. The State Commission on Judicial Conduct says the arrangement is no big deal. But me, I see a potential conflict. Or an appearance of conflict, which is all it takes. My solution: Craig should divorce his wife.

2. Yesterday Dallas’ homeless czar, Mike Rawlings, said: “We are in the middle of a dog fight … and have heavy winds in our face.” My solution: we should throw our dogs overboard if we’re going to continue this regatta.

3. Polls are open until Friday at UNT to decide whether their homecoming court can include two kings, without a queen (or vice versa). My solution: as soon as you say “Polls are open,” you’ve already made a decision.

Okay, Now Reunion Arena is Gone

There you go. Quit sweating me.

Plano’s Beal Bank Aids Trumps’ Casino Takeover

According to the Wall Street Journal, Plano-based Beal Bank was partner to “the Donald” and his daughter Ivanka Trump in their bid to regain control of the Atlantic City casino group that bears their brand name. They’ve abandoned that bid and reached a settlement.

But was Beal Bank left high and dry in the outcome?

It was unclear how Beal Bank, which holds a senior $486 million secured loan on the casinos and had been Trump’s equity partner in the takeover bid, figured into the settlement. “We are not in a position to comment at this time,” Beal Bank President Andrew Beal said through his assistant.

Leading Off (More or Less) (11/17/09)

1. Reunion Arena went bye-bye this morning.

2. On the other end of the spectrum, the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History is just about open.

3. And finally, I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: I see you Big German!

North Texas Mayors’ Super Bowl XLV Confab

  Leaders from the farthest-flung reaches of North Texas converged on Cowboys Stadium yesterday for the second gathering of the Super Bowl XLV Host Committee’s Council of Mayors. Fort Worth’s Mike Moncrief was the big dog in the room (Tom Leppert wasn’t there), among representatives from places like Denton, Parker, Rowlett, DeSoto, Flower Mound, and Krugerville, and dozens of other spots, as well as the mysterious “Mayor G.” (See photo)

The meeting wasn’t open to the public, and even members of the media were shut out of the first bit. What we were allowed to hear were updates on the Slant 45 program, and transportation, aviation, and public safety plans.

For example, we were told that on the day of the Super Bowl there will be a no-fly zone within a 10-mile radius of the stadium. And only restricted flying will be allowed within 30 miles. The southern end of D/FW Airport is less than 10 miles away, and Love Field is about 15. So every plane traveling between 4 p.m. and midnight will be affected. Maybe don’t book a flight for Feb. 6, 2011.

Jump for more. (more…)

Ex-Hurler: Rangers’ Pitching Staff Needs Starters

While conventional wisdom holds that the Texas Rangers are set with their pitching for now–for a change–some experts like the ever-astute Evan Grant don’t necessarily agree. Grant contends that Texas still needs another “premium” pitcher, and Roberto Diaz, a salesman at the NorthPark Salvatore Ferragamo store, concurs with that assessment–and then some. Why listen to Diaz, a 51-year-old native of Puerto Rico? Because he’s a former relief pitcher in the Milwaukee Brewers organization who’s pals with the likes of Pudge Rodriguez and Juan Gonzales, who also hail from PR. (In fact, Diaz says, he moved to Dallas from Florida because of the connections.) The “Rangers are a pretty good young ball club,” says Diaz (pictured), who coaches kids at occasional baseball clinics in Plano. “But they need a couple more good quality starters, and they should go into the free [agency] market to get them.”

Rod Dreher on Journalists and Religion

The DMN’s Rod Dreher has penned a great column about Islamic fanaticism, including this part which concludes with my nomination for Sentence of the Week:

That routine is, alas, not alien to American Muslim leaders with whom I’ve clashed since. They obfuscate what they really believe and try to intimidate critics into silence with accusations of bigotry. They cannily understand that’s kryptonite to many journalists, who find Baptists scarier than Wahhabists.

The People Speak; The Nasher Listens

It might seem like an odd way to steer a leading cultural institution. But Dallas’ Nasher Sculpture Center relied on the votes of people who attended a benefit party last night to embark on a major new undertaking. Attendees at the bash held at NorthPark Center were asked to vote for one of three “wishes” for the Nasher: A contemporary projects series featuring emerging artists, an illustrated catalog to accompany the exhibition Jaume Plensa: Genus and Species, or a monthly contemporary artist lecture series. Nasher director Jeremy Strick (pictured) says the winner by a substantial margin was … drumroll, please … the contemporary projects series. The Nasher, of course, was built by the late Raymond Nasher, who also developed NorthPark Center, whose marketing/media department cooked up the people’s-choice contest.

Leading Off (11/16/09)

1. Want to learn the ins and outs of owning a concealed handgun? Maybe you should check out the Academy for Firearms Training owned by Dallas County Constable Roma Skinner. Or not. Critics say that Skinner shouldn’t be employing deputies in his side business. There are allegations of favoritism and people are unhappy. Fortunately, no one is yet bitter enough to comment on the fact that the constable shares the same first  name as the lady from Touched By An Angel.

2. Did you know that Dallas has the third busiest Mexican consulate after Los Angeles and Chicago?  Apparently, we do. And sadly, because of a few unfortunate incidents–including a skimming scandal by an ex consulate employee and a mishandled lawsuit–things haven’t been going so well over there. Juan Carlos Cue Vega aims to change all that today. Well, it’s unlikely he’ll change all of it today because it’s his first day on the job. But yes, over time, Vega intends to make the bookkeeping processes more transparent and focus on relationships with foreign-born Mexican immigrants.

3. Many people in North Texas are probably going to be unproductive at work today. They’re angry. They’re depressed. They feel betrayed. This is why I don’t watch football, people. And also because, between Mad Men (please tell me that some of you saw January Jones’ dismal performance on SNL), Celebrity Rehab,  and other Sunday-night delights, I simply don’t have the time. Anyway, I’m sure like every other unhealthy relationship, you’ll forget all about this transgression and go back for more.

Completely Unsurprising Headline, Ctd.

At the ribbon-cutting tonight for Dallas’ Main Street Garden, Mayor Tom Leppert said he wasn’t fazed or “surprised” by today’s news that GOP gubernatorial hopeful Kay Bailey Hutchison will remain in the U.S. Senate at least until next March. He also said it wouldn’t affect his future plans one way or the other–plans that Gromer Jeffers Jr. of the DMN reported today include considering a run for Hutchison’s Senate seat. “I told [Jeffers] that I’d look at things as they come up–as I always have in life,” Leppert said, downplaying The News‘ account. “That was much overdone.”

Pictures for Your Eyes From Main Street Garden

The official opening of Main Street Garden went down tonight. The mayor’s hands were present. Lasers played a role (no joke). I overheard again — as I did at the opening of the PAC — “This doesn’t look like Dallas.” We will have more to say about this green space in the very near future, but here are some pics to tide you over.

Hutchison Plays Hamlet: Will Stay in Senate (For Now)

In the latest surprising development in her squirrelly “campaign” for Texas governor, Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison now says she’ll remain in the U.S. Senate until after next year’s primaries. Gromer Jeffers Jr. got the scoop.

Marquez Nabs Top Business Award

Texans Can! CEO Richard Marquez (pictured) was honored Thursday by the Dallas chapter of the Texas Association of Business as the 2009 Distinguished Business Leader in Education. Marquez, profiled in 2008 in D CEO magazine, joins such previous Distinguished Business Leaders as T. Boone Pickens, Raymond Nasher, Ross Perot Sr., Ray Hunt and Ebby Halliday. Congrats, Richard!