Too tired to get up and watch at that time? Don’t have a DVR, or even a VCR? Get a preview of what she’ll be talking about right here.

Randy Travis is the guy in the middle, in case you didn't know.

Reuse Jeans sent out an email today to share pictures from the Jan. 21 grand opening of its new store at the Shops at Park Lane. In the email, they were sure to note how grateful they were that country singer Randy Travis had been able to stop by (see photo above.)

This new photo, and Mr. Travis’ recent Denton County Sheriff’s Department mugshot, have sparked an intra-office disagreement.

Settle the argument: Does he look more like a vampire bat or a vampire from the TV shows Buffy and Angel?

The new logo. Kind of makes you want to put your hand over your heart and pledge allegiance, no?

When Joseph Guinto wrote about Ron Johnson, the new CEO of Plano-based J.C. Penney, in the September issue of D CEO, he raised a number of questions about what the former Apple and Target executive could do for the department store. On Johnson’s branding expertise:

If an executive from Apple is supposed to know anything, it is what the kids (under 35 counts, right?) want these days. And, anyone at Apple—where products launch with a similar look, feel, and level of hype—should have a solid understanding of branding. But Apple products cost a lot of money. The average price for a women’s blouse at J.C. Penney is $15. And, besides, is it fair to compare a shiny iPod to a pair of cotton underpants?

Well, J.C. Penney unveiled its big makeover plan this week, and it would seem that cotton underpants may be getting something closer to the iPod treatment. Stores will begin sporting a new logo (above), the company’s third in three years.

They’ve also unveiled new three-tiered, simplified pricing that they’re calling “Fair and Square Pricing,” which is meant to be represented by that subtly patriotic new logo. Ellen DeGeneres has been brought in as a spokesperson to “help bring the new jcpenney experience to life in her own fun-loving, sneaker-wearing, laugh-making way.”

But most remarkable of all? Johnson, the man behind the creation of Apple’s retail cathedrals hipster havens orgasmatrons shops is bringing some of that same philosophy to transform the staid department store design:

Mr. Johnson and (company president) Mr. Francis also outlined plans to entirely re-invent the jcpenney store experience, to include Main Street — the entire store merchandised in a series of 80 to 100 brand shops, rather than the confusing and seemingly endless racks common in department stores today. It will also feature Town Square — an exciting new place that replaces the traditional retail center core of a department store with a series of services, which customers will enjoy before they buy, while they shop and afterwards. And, throughout, the new jcpenney store experience will merge the physical and digital worlds, assuring the physical retail stores’ vital role as the centerpiece of retailing’s future.

Yep, sounds like J.C. Penney will soon sport its own version of Genius Bars. Just imagine it. One day soon you’ll be able to walk into “Town Square” at your local jcpenney (after you’ve made an appointment?) and ask for help with any number of issues, like “why can’t I fit into this pair of chinos,” or ”is my Liz Claiborne blouse compatible with this Gloria Vanderbilt custom-waist denim? Or do I need an upgrade?”

No wonder Forbes is calling J.C. Penney “the most interesting retail story of the year.”

But there have been some scary emails circulated claiming something like that, and one about a violent incident at the mall last week appears to have some bit of truth to it. Park Cities People has more details.

She’ll get you next time, Corning.

Is Southlake Town Square the exception or the rule?

Long-suffering Denton residents have heard this before. Golden Triangle Mall has new ownership. The long-troubled shopping center is going to get yet another renovation. This time the city of Denton itself had to kick in $9.5 million to make it happen.

The news reminded me of something that came up during my recent breakfast with Ray Washburne, he of the MCrowd Restaurants and owner of Highland Park Village. We mostly talked about all the changes coming to the Village, but something that didn’t make it into the published article were his comments about Denton.

MCrowd had a deal in place to put a Mi Cocina location into the Rayzor Ranch development in Denton, but with that planned mixed-use project having slowed down due to economic factors, it hasn’t happened. “It was going to be the classic suburban lifestyle center,” Washburne said. “As a college town, I think a small Mi Cocina or Taco Diner would do well up there.” Then he added:

“Denton doesn’t have a sense of place.  That’s what these lifestyle centers have done — like up in Allen — is create a sense of place.”

Obviously, I disagree. But I’m from Denton. Washburne is a Dallas/Park Cities guy through and through, so I get it. To him Denton is just another faceless suburb, devoid of its own personality. Can’t say I don’t feel the same way myself about Richardson or Garland or Duncanville, or any of the other cities I don’t know well.

But the notion that a “suburban lifestyle center,” which is bound to be chock-a-block with franchised restaurants and chain retail shops, being the way to bring a “sense of place” to a city?  Does that work?

Maybe in Southlake at its Town Square? (Then again, maybe I’m drawing a false correlation between “sense of place” and financial success.)  What about Washburne’s own example, Watters Creek in Allen? Or Frisco Square? I know that Flower Mound’s Parker Square hasn’t worked out quite as well as was initially hoped.

The thing about Denton is, though, it doesn’t need to create a faux town square. It’s already got a real one.

Chris Penn models the 3D glasses that come with Brightblack Morning Light's album.

I’ve been going to Good Records for some time now, though I wouldn’t call myself an expert on the store. Given its recognition as the Best Record Store in Dallas, I thought it was time to go straight to the expert—co-owner Chris Penn—to hear about the coolest (and weirdest) records in its inventory. I had dreamed of being shown an ancient, long-lost copy of The Beatles’ Carnival of Light, but what I found instead was a little less dusty and stained. Not that I should have been surprised: Good Records is, after all, a store that predominately sells new vinyl and CDs. Used music is bought and sold, but until Sir Paul walks into the store and hands over his copy of Carnival, I guess I’ll just have to wait. Until then, it’s 3-D and scratch-and-sniff vinyl, “nothing too too out of the ordinary.” Right, Chris.

1. Brightblack Morning Light, Brightblack Morning Light, $25.99 (see photo at top)

“It’s a guy and a girl, and they live in a teepee in New Mexico. They played here for my 38^th birthday. Total psychedelic. It comes with 3-D prismatic glasses. It’s got a gatefold, and it totally suits the music. We love the album in general, but it’s got that thing you can only get with vinyl—you can’t get 3-D glasses with a download,” Chris says.

Smells like gum.

2. Dandelion Gum, Black Moth Super Rainbow, $24.99

“The whole thing is scented like bubblegum. I think they shot a fragrance into the jacket so when you pull it out it has that scent. The vinyl of the album is a real cool pink swirl, so it kinda fit the whole gum motif as well. Every week and a half we sell one or two of them. They did an in-store here for South by Southwest about six years ago. They sat on the stage Indian-style, and nobody knew who they were. They’ve got another album that smells like rotten tomatoes. I like that album, but who wants to smell like rotten tomatoes?” Chris says.

Neil Young's takes the "box set" to another level.

3. Neil Young box set, $354.99

It’s not Chris’s favorite thing in the store — that would be the autographed Black Sabbath and Alice Cooper posters — but it is his favorite thing for sale in the store. It’s exhaustive video and audio, and the Blu-ray allows the user access to an online site where Neil Young can continuously add content as well.

Harrison Smith is a D Magazine intern.

With the Galleria and NorthPark Center doing a much better job of keeping up with what draws shoppers to malls, Valley View began slowly emptying of stores. Foleys became Macy’s, who shut down that location in favor of better real estate with more shoppers. Then Dillard’s left. Just the other day, several of us were talking about the last time we were in Valley View. For me, it was more than a year ago. Another person said she hadn’t stepped foot in the mall since the Dillard’s clearance sales when it closed. Another goes more frequently – but just to the AMC movie theater.  As it stands, there are only two anchor stores – JC Penney and Sears – left, along with a smattering of small stores, a small food court and the aforementioned movie theater.

Things have flatlined so badly for the mall that its owner, Macerich Co., chose not to continue paying on a $125 million note a year ago, handing the mall over to its creditors instead.