Not only did the gentlemen apparently enjoy a rather interesting evening at Cattle Baron’s, but they also went to an SMU football practice, learned to line dance at Billy Bob’s, and visited a “fainting goat” farm in Bowie. I’m not sure these choices are the best representation of Dallas. I like picturing them at the Cattle Baron’s Ball, but I think a Cowboys game would have been exciting. I also wonder where they went for dinner. Their diet consists of beef, blood, and milk.

Check an upcoming issue of D for the picture of the man. He seems to be having a great time.

I am a widower, age 59 now, and I live in Bentonville, AR, and have been up here in the Ozarks for more than 15 years after moving up here from Houston. About six months after my late wife’s funeral, I happened to run across my college sweetheart. She was/is still from Dallas and teaches in the Highland Park School District. This happened in April 2007. By early May, she and I had our first date in 35 years. In 1972 I was a senior, she a sophomore and we were, if I must say, quite a sweet couple, and if things had continued without interruption, we may well have married.

We started a long distance relationship. She still lives in the same family home in Lake Highlands, near the Mockingbird/Abrams area, where she lived with her parents and siblings when I would visit her on weekends when we were both students at Baylor. Our relationship/reunion became epic, the stuff of storybooks. It was really sweet. (Note past tense.It didn’t work out, but did provide about a year of wonderful romancing.)

When I would go to Dallas and see her, I would stay in hotels in the Central Expressway/SMU/NorthPark area. Of course, your magazine is there for guests in the rooms.

So as I persued the “Best of Big D” for that particular year, I found this amusing sidebar on the best places in Dallas to kiss, canoodle, etc. with your sweetheart. There were four places, three of the four were bars. The fourth was a small park, apparently, at the intersection of Mockingbird and Peavy out east of the lake. I showed it to my sweetheart. She immediately said she knew where it was. Ironically, it was, more or less directly eastward on the other side of the lake from where we used to “park” among the trees not too far from her parents’ home the summer of 72.

So we went there. We also read the caveat in the short write-up warning to keep the ‘acitivty’ PG as cops patrol the area. We followed the advice. We found it. I pulled up my Ford F 150 4 x 4 SupercrewCab with the Arkansas plates into the small parking lot, she put her head on my shoulder and we gazed at the few remaining storm clouds drifting northward away from the skyline and Love Field. Otherwise the skies were clear. It was late August. I left the engine running for the A/C. We talked, we kissed, we listened to music. It was sweet, very sweet…and yes…PG rated..or maybe PG-13, but still nothing extraordinary. No clothing of any sort was removed, OK?

So here you have a couple in their mid-50s canoodling per advice from D Magazine. It was late. I think we had pulled into the spot about 11:45 pm. I also took note as we pulled in if there were any sort of warning or regulatory signs about this small, gravel parking lot, positioned on a slight hill above a picnic pavillion. There were no signs. And indeed, your magazine was correct, it did give a view of the city. Not a breathtaking one (after all, remember, I live in the Ozarks), but still, a ‘peak’ in relative terms to Dallas.

We had been there about 15 minutes and some headlights pulled in behind us. It was a Dallas City police car. I rolled my window down to a flashlight illuminated brightly in my face by one of Dallas’ finest..one officer T.K. Buggs (no I’m not making this up, I have a copy of the citation still…that IS his name). Officer Buggs apparently is Dallas’ answer to Barney Fife. He followed the rule book. Never mind that we were almost senior citizens, not kids. Never mind that there were no signs posted as to rules of the park. We were both issued citations for being in a city park after curfew, which we learned, after the fact, of course, is midnight. We offered a mild protest that we had not been there much after midnight and there were no signs up with the hours, or any information for that matter. He admitted, right there, that ‘kids’ tear them down. But that he had to be careful with this beat because it is in a nice area and basically ‘we don’t want any trouble here…it would be terrible if we had someone attacked out here.” Bottom line, he didn’t want his butt in a sling if someone got hurt. OK, I understand, but we certainly were grown up and we weren’t going to run tell other middle-aged friends that they really ought to go park and neck in Officer Buggs beat because he’s so easy! And, if ANYONE had even remotely approached the truck (Besides a damned Dallas patrol car), I would have kicked the damned truck into 4 WD and driven DOWN the hill past the picnic pavillion to the throroughfare below.

Nevertheless, after taking about 40 minutes in his car writing us up (I think the Arkansas plates coupled with the fact that the truck is registered to a leasing company in New Jersey where my employer is officed really through the guy off). So we got citations and had to appear downtown in Dallas city court the following MAY!! I started laughing after Officer Buggs left. I had the biggest grin on my face as I drove my sweetheart home. I told her that if we had to get ticketed around the lake, I am sure glad it happened in 2007 and not 1972 for her parents to find out! She gave me a little love tap across my arm and was still miffed that I was chuckling, for she had her ire up about the ‘injustice’. But she knew why I was smiling. “You think this is funny, don’t you?” she said. “You just can’t wait to tell your buddies that you got ticketed for parking when you’re 57 years old!!” I burst out laughing and told her straight up…”You are SO right….I’m even gonna’ tell the grand kids about this one some day!”

When we did appear in court, her charges were dropped for some unknown reason, perhaps because she was not the driver, perhaps because she was the local citizen. But the out-of-towner had to pay about $150 bucks fine…thank you very much, City of Dallas…for being so accomodating and dropping it down from about $240. Sheesh…But I guess it was worth it for the story!

So that’s how I ended up in city court in downtown Dallas in May 2008 having following the advice of D Magazine in August 2007.

Here’s the letter telling her about the award, and here’s another confirming that she ponied up the cash. I know Dawn Rizos. I bet she’s having a good laugh over this.

NEWT GINGRICH INVITES GENTLEMEN’S CLUB OWNER DAWN RIZOS TO PRIVATE AWARDS DINNER, THEN CHANGES MIND

DALLAS, TEXAS – After naming Lodge owner Dawn Rizos “Entrepreneur of the Year” and inviting her to a private dinner in Washington, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich has rescinded the invitation.

“We’re very disappointed,” Ms. Rizos said. “We were very honored to receive this award and it’s really kind of rude for them to change their minds at the last minute.”

Ms. Rizos is owner and CEO of The Lodge, one of the nation’s premier gentlemen’s clubs, which has received many local and national honors over the years for its elegance, beauty, fine cuisine and integrity.

In early September she received a letter from Mr. Gingrich’s organization, Americans Solutions for Winning the Future, informing her she was being honored for “your success in building your business and recognition of the risks you take to create jobs and stimulate the economy.”

Ms. Rizos noted that The Lodge “helps hundreds of people support their families, further their educations and build successful futures, and we’re very proud of that.”

The honor was to be presented by Mr. Gingrich at a dinner on October 7 at the Capitol Hill Club in Washington. “It’s a very small intimate event…Newt is looking forward to hearing your ideas on getting the economy moving again and getting your feedback on his plans over dinner,” the invitation said.

When Ms. Rizos phoned to confirm her reservation, she was asked to join the organization and pay the $5,000 annual fee. She did, and received a letter from Mr. Gingrich thanking her and adding, “I look forward to meeting you and hearing more about your business.

On September 29, an organizer of the event contacted Ms. Rizos to inform her that a mistake had been made and that she was no longer welcome at the awards dinner. He said American Solutions intended to honor a company named DCG – which is The Lodge’s corporate parent – but sent the invitation to the wrong DCG. He added that Ms. Rizos’ success was admirable, and that perhaps she would be welcome at a future American Solutions event.

“I certainly hope so,” Ms. Rizos said. “We admire Newt Gingrich’s positions on personal responsibility, self-reliance, and, especially, the need to keep the government out of our private lives. We have a lot to talk about.”

This definitely NSFW link will take you to the Deadspin post that includes video of the pair drunkenly going at it. The video is very short, but in IMHO the dude was over served and lacking in the imagination department. Is it wrong that I hear Brad Sham’s voice saying, “Irvin loves Irving Irvin,” every time I watch it?

Also, check out photographer Eliot Boney’s website. He’s the guy with the apropos name taking credit for the masterful camera work. No word yet on who the two Irvin wannabees are. My question: Where was security while this was going on?

Comments are on like Donkey Kong. Who’s got the best Chris Berman play-by-play?

– As was mentioned on our SweetCharity blog, Brenda Teele Jackson emceed the evening with a surfeit of energy and enthusiasm. I want to be polite here. I’ll just say that I hope she’s not like that all the time.

– Mosquitoes. They were everywhere. It was comical. Then it was itchy.

– The food and beverage were outstanding. I mean, really solid. I wish I could remember what all I ate. And drank. No man was denied his fair portion.

– The portable bathrooms were so nice that it felt wrong to pee in them. Seriously.

What you've got here is a purdy shot of downtown. And a big ol' teevee. I'd never watched TV on the Continental Bridge before. Nice.

Here is Eric Celeste being touched inappropriately by a mutant shrub that crawled out of the Trinity river bottom and walked around the party on stilts. Creepy. I'm talking about Eric.

Santiago Calatrava is the architect who designed the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge, which you'll soon see rising over the river. Calatrava said he hoped no one would die building his bridge. Just as important, he signed my forehead toward the end of the evening. I think he'd been overserved. Or I was. Hard to say.

These are the hands that actually dug the current channel for the Trinity River. They belong to our mayor.

Then it was time for fireworks. There was a countdown. As you can see, a large switch was thrown -- and, like, three fireworks detonated, leaving everyone, including Councilman Dwaine Caraway, in the foreground, going, "Really? You call THAT fireworks?" Then, after everyone kinda just gave up, suddenly the fireworks went off. I'm guessing Jim Schutze was down in the river bottom, where they were shooting them, tring to sabotage the deal.

This is Ray Washburne, the guy who recently bought Highland Park Village. At the end of the night, his head exploded.

The Trinity Trust Announces “Bridging the Trinity” with Santiago Calatrava, Award-Winning Architect and Designer of the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge

DALLAS, Texas, September 18, 2009 – The Trinity Trust Foundation will host a Bridge Fair, “Bridging the Trinity,” celebrating the Santiago Calatrava signature Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge now under construction in the heart of Dallas. The landmark event will be held on the Continental Bridge on Friday, September 25, 2009, at 7:30 p.m. The evening will feature street artists, delectable delights, musical entertainment and surprise treats. Entertainment includes DJ Lucy Wrubel and the band Boys Named Sue.

Santiago Calatrava, an internationally acclaimed award-winning architect, artist and engineer, is an honored guest. Joining him will be Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert and the National Honorary Chairs U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison and Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson. Honorary Event Chairs are Mary McDermott Cook, Lyda Hill, Al Hill Jr. and Alinda Wikert. Lynn McBee is the Event Chair, and Christy Berry is the Host Committee Chair. Williams Brothers Construction is the Presenting Sponsor.

Dr. Gail Thomas, president of The Trinity Trust, said, “This remarkable Bridge Fair celebrates the progress of The Trinity project on the Continental Bridge, which will become a pedestrian bridge once the Margaret Hunt Hill suspension bridge is built. We will also celebrate our ‘Suspense is Building’ campaign to inform the community of this remarkable element of The Trinity project.”

As the designer of the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge, Santiago Calatrava visited Dallas earlier this year and shared his excitement about the arrival of the steel in Texas and what this bridge will do for Dallas, Texas and the United States.

“What makes these bridges unique is that they will become a part of the Dallas skyline,” Calatrava said. “They are the first steps of centering the city, with the Trinity River on both sides, and calling the city back to the river to become a central gathering place.”

The arrival of the first shipment of steel in Dallas is adding to the excitement, and more shipments will be arriving later this year. “The steel has arrived, and the people will become excited once they see the progress of this remarkable suspension bridge,” said Dr. Thomas.

The Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge is the first vehicular bridge designed by Calatrava in the United States. This world-class bridge will eventually connect Singleton Boulevard in West Dallas across the Trinity River to Woodall Rodgers (Spur 366) in downtown Dallas. This bridge’s central arch will reach 400 feet high upon completion. Pieces of the white arch, which arrived in late July, could begin being hoisted into place by the end of the year. Other elements include a 1,200-foot long span with miles of cable holding the bridge span in place. Once completed, the bridge will become Dallas’ signature landmark for The Trinity project and will replace the Continental Bridge, which will serve as the pedestrian bridge.

A second Calatrava Bridge—the Margaret McDermott Bridge—will start construction at a later date.

Mary McDermott Cook, chair of The Trinity Trust Foundation, said about Calatrava: “Santiago is a talented and brilliant architect and artist, having designed the Olympic Sports Complex in Athens, one I recently saw, and many buildings of great artistic significance. He’s also designed award-winning bridges around the globe, and he’s building the first [of] two vehicular bridges in the United States right here in Dallas, including my mom’s bridge, the Margaret McDermott Bridge.”

“Bridging the Trinity” Host Committee includes the following: Dolores and Larry Barzune; Hong and Jim Bass; Christy and Robby Berry; Laura and Dan Boeckman; Nancy and Robbie Briggs; Todd Fiscus and Rob Dailey; Jerri and Stuart Fitts; Ola and Randall Fojtasek; Margaret and Barry Hancock; Melissa and Trey Hill; Muffin and John Lemak; Carol and John Levy; Jennifer and Jim Lincoln; Nancy and Michael Lunceford; Bobby B. Lyle; Nancy Cain Marcus; Laura and Jack Matthews; Lynn and Allan McBee; Janie and Cappy McGarr; Ann Swisher and Michael McGehee; Laura and Butch McGregor; Megan and Casey McManemin; Pat and Bob Meckfessel; Karen and Jeff Morris; Nancy Perot Mulford; Alice and Erle Nye; Lillie and Phil Romano; Deedie and Rusty Rose; Kathi and Scott Shuford; Emily and Steve Summers; Gail and Bob Thomas; Fallon and Robie Vaughn.

A $2 billion public works project, The Trinity project is one of the largest urban developments in the nation stretching 20 miles through Dallas and encompassing 10,000 acres. Plans include a meandering river, downtown lakes, an island, wetlands, hike and bike trails, a whitewater course, riding paths and nature walks through the Great Trinity Forest. The Trinity River Audubon Center is already completed.

Media sponsors are D Magazine, D CEO and People Newspapers.

For more information and to purchase tickets to “Bridging the Trinity,” go to www.bridgingthetrinity.com. Tickets begin at $150 each, and underwriting opportunities are available. For more information, contact The Trinity Trust at 214.740.1616.

About The Trinity Trust Foundation and The Trinity Center:

The Trinity Trust raises private funds to implement the Balanced Vision Plan for The Trinity project in conjunction with the City of Dallas. The Trinity Trust has established The Trinity Center as the gathering place for all civic and non-profit groups working to revitalize the Trinity River in Dallas. It houses the offices of The Trinity Trust Foundation, Texas Horse Park, Groundwork Dallas and Trinity Strand Trail; and hosts meetings, workshops and events for these organizations and the Trinity Commons Foundation. The Trinity Center facilitates collaboration between these entities and the City of Dallas and encourages seamless integration of all the components of The Trinity project. More information can be found by calling 214.740.1616, by emailing info@thetrinitytrust.org, or by visiting www.thetrinitytrust.org.