Actor Nick Stahl Is Missing

According to this, his wife filed a missing persons report on Monday. Stahl grew up in Plano and Richardson, and I recall seeing him at City Tavern one night a while back, around the time Night of the White Pants was filming around here.

(Aside: two other local connections, both Jim Schutze related. Stahl starred in Bully, based on Schutze’s book of the same name, and — unless my memory is failing me — that yellow muscle car in the White Pants poster (click that link) belongs to Schutze. I swear he drove it to the Observer office at one point.)

Hope he turns up soon, and safe.

The Homeless Gentleman and the Bus Ticket

A couple of months ago, while walking back to the office, I encountered a homeless gentleman. This is somewhat of a rare occurrence on this side of downtown; there is not a ton of foot traffic, and so those looking for spare change generally tend to cast their nets elsewhere. He flagged me down. He was polite, but urgent. So I stopped, and he told me the story of the bus ticket.

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Josh Hamilton Joins Twitter

Hamilton signed up with @TheJoshHamilton late last night. Right now, he only has 904 followers. You could be No. 905.

Leading Off (5/15/12)

GCB Fans Try To Save TV Show. The Morning News talked to the fella who started an online petition to save GCB, which ABC declined to renew for a second season. As of 6:09 this morning, 27,441 people have signed on. Is this a marketing stunt by ABC? It’s hard for me to imagine getting that worked up about any TV show. Except maybe The Wizards of Waverly Place. If they ever canceled that, I’d go on a hunger strike.

Torii Hunter’s Son Arrested on Sexual Assault Charges. Hunter plays outfield for the Angels, who placed him on the restricted list Monday so that he could deal with a personal issue. Now we know what that issue is. Darius McClinton-Hunter, his 17-year-old son, was arrested by Prosper police on charges of sexually assaulting a child. Four other teens were arrested in the case, and the alleged victim is 16.

Katy Trail Bandits Responsible for 14 Robberies Over 10 Days. Dallas Police connected the crimes days ago but didn’t issue a warning. Yesterday the cops issued a statement saying that they “must continually balance the need to inform the public against releasing information that could jeopardize the investigation and potential suspect identification.” In plain English, that sounds to me like the cops have been using joggers as bait.

Manhunt For Respondent Mike Rawlings

Partially lost in the news last week that Mayor Mike was let off the hook by the ethics commission for his extremely close to the line endorsements of DISD school board trustee candidates is this: there is now a third Rawlings — Mayor Mike, Citizen Mike, and, according to documents, Respondent Mike. Only now, curiously, no one can find Respondent Mike. If you’ve seen him, let me know as soon as possible. If it helps, he has a markedly sterner appearance. I’ve helpfully included a couple of photos after the jump. Because, obviously.

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Come Work at D Magazine, Give Zac a Piggyback Ride

Nearly every day at quitting time, Zac and I walk to the Arts District parking garage together. Because that’s where we park. And nearly every day, right as we’re about to get on the elevator and descend to the bustling streets of downtown Dallas, Zac turns to me and quite seriously asks, “Piggyback ride?” He has a theory. The theory goes like this: if he asks me every single day to give him a piggyback ride, eventually, whether it be because I’m feeling spry or I’m losing my mind or I’m just drunk, I’ll agree to it.

Here’s the thing: that could be you. You could give Zac a piggyback ride to his car.

For that to happen, though, you’ve got to work at D Magazine. Lucky for you, we’ve got an immediate opening for an audience development manager.

GCB Not Renewed

BREAKING: A source in the know confirms that ABC has not renewed GCB. I’m sure you’re heartbroken. Tip a 40.

Belo Garden, Main Street Garden, and the Homeless

Belo Garden

A commenter is surprised that we let an intern put up her opinions on Belo Garden, even though her opinion differs from ours. He called out Tim, Zac, Michael, and Peter for being “hipster-urban hydra.” But he missed me. And I want to make sure it’s well known that I want to be a part of the hipster-urban hydra. I’m thinking about getting a scooter, after all.

I don’t like that wall at Belo Garden. I walked the dog over to check it out last night. Honestly, it’s not as hideous as I thought it would be, and I did talk to one Metropolitan resident who didn’t mind it. But to me it’s just a constant reminder that a group of people couldn’t find a way to work together. Jack Gosnell, who heads up Urban for United Commercial Realty, says that and a bit more over on RealPoints.

On the same subject, Bethany mentioned in this morning’s Leading Off that Delia White wrote to the Dallas Morning News that Belo Garden would be overcome by the homeless, just like what’s happened at Main Street Garden. Look, there are homeless there from time to time. It’s inevitable. But anyone who thinks the garden is overcome or taken over by the homeless is more than welcome to join me on my nightly walks with the dog. Please come with me. I will show you what the park is really like.

And speaking of dogs (last thing, I promise), I am worried about how Belo Garden will survive the dogs. A lot of people living downtown have dogs. Until now, we’ve had one park to take them to. That park has very spotty grass. Now that we have two, I wonder if it will help save the grass at Main Street Garden, or if it will just make for two gardens with spotty grass. Either way, I’m very thankful for both of these parks, and I think they’re wonderful to have, homeless, wall, and all.