Eric Johnson

The House Voted to Rename Central for George W. Bush

HB 3520 designating a portion of US 75 the George W. Bush Expressway just passed. #txlege #txgop— Dan Branch (@TexansForDan) May 8, 2013 When State Representative Dan Branch introduced his proposal to change the name of a seven-mile stretch of Central to George W. Bush Expressway, we thought i ... More >>

A New Report Calls for Texas to Adopt Dallas' Gentler Approach to Curbing Prostitution

One evening last month, police invited reporters to an empty lot at Lancaster Road and Interstate 20, an area frequented by the sex workers who serve the long-haul truckers that pass through. The goal was to showcase Dallas' successful and innovative prostitution diversion program and to encourage t ... More >>

Mayor Mike Rawlings Wants 10,000 Men to Rally Against Domestic Abuse, Isn't Entirely Sure What Will Happen After That

This morning at the Dallas Museum of Art, Mayor Mike Rawlings, along with about 1,000 other men in suits sharing the stage, announced a new campaign dubbed "Men Against Abuse." The next stop on this tour of well-meaning gestures will be a celebrity-packed rally on March 23, which the mayor wants 10, ... More >>

State Rep. Eric Johnson Filed a Bill Yesterday to Overturn the State's Voter ID Law

Texas' voter ID law wasn't in effect for last November's election thanks to an order by a federal appeals court, but it remains on the books of the state's election code. (A refresher: Anyone who shows up to vote must present a photo ID. Handgun permits are okay; school IDs are not. Otherwise, they ... More >>

FRIED BREAKING NEWS: Fried Jambalaya, Fried Bacon Cinnamon Roll Win Big at State Fair of Texas

See also: The Fried Food Finalists Coming to the State Fair of Texas 2012 Last Wednesday, the eight finalists of the Big Tex Choice Awards were announced. Today, they gathered for an epic fried battle. Three judges (1310 The Ticket's Donovan Lewis, Representative Eric Johnson from the Texas House o ... More >>

Over the Weekend, a Tense, Angry, Cabaret-Referencing Forum on Violence in South Dallas

The shooting death in late July of felon and suspected drug dealer James Harper by Officer Brian Rowden during a foot chase at a South Dallas drug house has re-opened some barely closed wounds, touching off a painful debate about crime, enforcement, and police presence in low-income black and Latino ... More >>

State Rep. Eric Johnson Wants Hail Storm Declared a Disaster, Asks Mayor Mike for Help

Damage estimates from the hail storm that pummeled, to name a few things, historic slate roofs, delicate glass sculptures, the Midway sign at Fair Park, and my car. Also, the head of state Rep. Eric Johnson's wife Nakita when a hailstone boulder crashed through his car's sunroof, which might have pl ... More >>

DART Working With "Reasonable, Affordable" Number of Police, Fare Enforcement Officers

DART Police Chief Spiller​Last night, on WFAA, Byron Harris reported: "DART says it doesn't have enough police to put an officer on every train, but it is trying to place uniformed officers on platforms, where they can be seen." But then, this morning, this from The Dallas Morning News: "'Effectiv ... More >>

How to Rev Fair Park's Economic Engine: Bring on the Scrapyards

State Rep. Eric Johnson, Democrat of southern Dallas and Mesquite, has an essay on the op-ed page of The Dallas Morning News today describing Fair Park as a "powerful economic engine" and a "jewel of our city" whose economic power should be harnessed to improve life in surrounding poor neighborhoods ... More >>

If Nothing Else, MALDEF's Very Happy With the Federal Court's New State Redistricting Map

​About a month ago we noted that the Department of Justice was very unhappy with how state legislators redrew Texas's congressional districts -- something to do with how the new map "actually reduced minority electoral power" in Dallas-Fort Worth, for starters. Hence the ongoing litigation in San ... More >>

Dixie Chicks, Willie Nelson, Lyle Lovett Join Impressive Bill for Central Texas Fire Benefit

​Just got off the phone with Will Johnson a few minutes ago for an upcoming story related to the upcoming, pretty epic-looking Dallas Observer Music Awards Showcase. He's a good dude -- you may recall his, Centro-matic and South San Gabriel's efforts a few weeks back to do what they could to help ... More >>

Fried Bubble Gum Wins, Tastes Like My Little Pony Turds

Taryn WalkerFried bubble gum is really a fried strawberry-flavored marshmallow. Yum? More photos in the slideshow.This Labor Day, winners were crowned for the Big Tex Choice Awards. ​And we were definitely a little (OK, maybe a lot) excited. Like, a lot a lot. Allan W ... More >>

The Rapture, Bush & Chevelle, Phantogram and The Rest of This Week's Show Announcements

The Rapture​It's been a while since we've heard from New York dance band The Rapture; their last release Pieces of the People We Love came out five years ago. But now they're back with a new album, In the Grace of Your Love, which will earn its release on September 6.In tandem with the releas ... More >>

Sorry, Guys, But Mortgage Subsidies Aren't the Answer in Southern Dallas

​Interesting blow-black -- so muted you might call it whisper-back -- to recent stories and an op-ed piece in The Dallas Morning News extolling so-called economic progress in Southern Dallas. One instance is on the paper's op-ed page today, a column from respected Southern Dallas blogger-jou ... More >>

Last Night: Archers of Loaf and The Globes at The Loft

Archers of Loaf, The Globes The LoftJune 12, 2011Better than: seeing a Parade of Losers reunion.Archers of Loaf, a little younger.​It was a lot to ask of people to divert their eyes away from the television when the Mavericks were one victory away from winning the NBA finals. No matter who was pla ... More >>

Before Mayoral Candidates Make Issue Out of Political Affiliations, a Look at Who's What

During the 2007 mayoral campaign, former city council member Ed Oakley sent out mailers depicting himself and convicted felon Don Hill as Democrats and Tom Leppert and former Mayor Pro Tem Max Wells as Republicans. Oakley also accepted the endorsement of the Dallas County Democratic Party and printe ... More >>

State Rep. Johnson "Cannot Stand" For Wiping Out Re-Entry Program, Homeless Help Funds

Mark GrahamMetro Dallas Homeless Alliance President and CEO Mike Faenza at The Bridge, which could lose $1 million annually in state funds in budget cuts​Aside from those education cuts, there's also the very real possibility that the state will do away with the Project Reintegration of Offenders ... More >>

Tonight, Tonight: Eric Johnson at The Granada, Sick of It All at The Loft and The Ink Couch at Andy's Basement

Quite a diverse collection of musical options available in the area this Wednesday evening. Choose wisely.

Jubilee Park Residents Still Wary of DISD's Plans for a New O.M. Roberts Elementary

bcWorkshopClick to embiggen this proposal drawn up by bcWorkshop to add a new O.M. Roberts Elementary building without creeping into the surrounding neighborhood.Last we checked in with the Jubilee Parkers fighting the Dallas Independent School District's attempt to snatch up their homes to make roo ... More >>

State Rep. Johnson Would Like Gov. Perry to Go Get Some of That Federal Small-Bidness Money

​On the other side's a letter state Rep. Eric Johnson sent Governor Rick Perry yesterday, in which the District 100 representative asks Perry to apply for federal funds intended to "provide critical resources to help small businesses continue to drive economic recovery and create jobs." That's per ... More >>

DISD Has Ended Jubilee Park Land Grab

Patrick Michels​On Wednesday, word was the Dallas Independent School District was this close to backing off efforts to snatch, for pennies on the dollar or none at all, several Jubilee Park homes in order to make way for the new-and-improved O.M. Roberts Elementary, promised as part of the 2008 bo ... More >>

Days After State Rep. Johnson Weighs In, DISD May Be Backing Off Jubilee Park Land Grab

Daniel RodrigueJubilee Park residents protest DISD's eminent domain suits outside 3700 Ross Ave. earlier this year.​Earlier this week, Robert wrote about state Rep. Eric Johnson's October 28 letter to Dallas Independent School District Superintendent Michael Hinojosa, in which Johnson wondered whe ... More >>

Ain't No Party Like an Election Night Watching Party, So Here's Where to Find Your Peeps

Sam MertenDespite lots of enthusiasm from Dallas County Commissioner Maurine Dickey, the Republicans didn't do so hot two years ago. Could they turn the tables this year? Find out at Hotel Palomar. Or Victory Park.​If you've spent the last few nights out and about watching Your Texas Rangers g ... More >>

State Rep. Johnson Demands Answers From DISD's Hinojosa Over Jubilee Park Land Grab

Patrick MichelsJubilee Park residents have been protesting DISD's land grab for almost a year.​Exactly two months ago, it appeared as though the Dallas Independent School District was backing off its intentions to seize via eminent domain houses in Jubilee Park to make way for a new-and-improved O ... More >>

Sweatin' It Out With the Justice League!

Photos by Sam MertenState Senator Royce West and county judge candidate Clay Jenkins help pump up the crowd as District Attorney Craig Watkins grabs the mic Saturday afternoon.​This, in case you have not heard, is the "Summer of Justice." Which, as far as summers-of goes, ranks somewhere in betwee ... More >>

There's No Need for May 8 Special Election to Fill Terri Hodge's Empty Seat

Eric Johnson​Wednesday at 5 p.m. was the filing deadline for anyone interested in running in the May 8 special election to fill state Rep. Terri Hodge's District 100 seat -- and the Texas Secretary of State's Web site shows there's but one candidate, Eric Johnson, who trounced guilty-plea-taking H ... More >>

Democratic Party Chair Darlene Ewing Explains Why Admitted Felon Terri Hodge Will Win Today's Election

Sam MertenHodge with Larry Duncan, who's running for county judge and is one of many politicos wishing pics like this would simply disappear.​If you thought the efforts of former Dallas City Council members Diane Ragsdale and Sandra Crenshaw to get Terri Hodge reelected were futile, think agai ... More >>

Pity For Terri Hodge? Save It for the Voters She Betrayed.

State Representative Terri Hodge's Campaign Disappoints by Offering a Good Reason for Odd Petitions

What's Up With the Whiteout on Terri Hodge's Petitions? Spoiler Alert: Turns Out, Not Much.

Sam MertenRep. Terri Hodge​We just love shenanigans, so it's no wonder why we found ourselves roped in by claims from Eric Johnson's campaign that some of the petitions attached to state Representative Terri Hodge's ballot application didn't pass the smell test. It appeared as though Hodge, wh ... More >>

Challenger Eric Johnson Takes the High Road Against State Representative Terri Hodge, But Where Will It Lead Him?

More Ammo for Eric Johnson in Primary Battle Against Terri Hodge, But Will it Matter?

​For reasons we can't explain, politicos are sticking by state Representative Terri Hodge in her bid for an eighth term in office despite the pending March 8 trial for her role in the federal corruption case involving affordable-housing developer Brian Potashnik. Her host committee includes lo ... More >>

Weekend Roundup: Mary Anne Hobbs, Justin Nozuka, Dweezil Zappa Plays Zappa

Mary Anne Hobbs, The Green Elephant, Friday, November 20It's Monday afternoon, friends. Get out your glow sticks! BBC 1 DJ Mary Anne Hobbs, who spun at The Green Elephant Friday night, has led the life you wish you had the balls to live: she ran off to London with a hard rock band as a teen; at 21, ... More >>

Last Night: Fruit Bats, Death Vessel at The Loft

Fruit Bats, Death VesselThe LoftSeptember 1, 2009 Better than: Staying at home watching the Rangers sweep a double-header from the Blue Jays.   With temperatures hanging blissfully in the upper 70s, the deck of The Loft was certainly a nice place to spend a Tuesday evening. The view was ... More >>

Gig Alert: Fruit Bats' Free In-Store Performance At Good Records

​In this week's dead tree version of DC9, Darryl Smyers checked in with Fruit Bats leader Eric Johnson about a number of things, but mostly about how his own band differs from the other bands he plays in, a list that includes Vetiver and The Shins. And Johnson's thoughts on the matter?"What I do i ... More >>

Fruit Bats Frontman Eric Johnson Is Clear: His Band Is No Shins Side Project.

Gig Alert: Eric Johnson Tonight at House of Blues

Eric Johnson, not Eric Johnson.​Not to be confused with the Eric Johnson of The Fruit Bats [Editor's Note: Or the NFL tight end from my hometown], the Eric Johnson appearing at House of Blues tonight is the legendary guitar slinger from Austin. Drawing praise from the likes of Carlos Santana, Eric ... More >>

Good Friday: Peaches, Viva Voce, Malford Milligan, David Byrne, International Waters, Oliver's Army, Airline, Jonathan Byrd, The Phuss, Gaelic Storm, Todd Sarvies

This particular weekend offers an interesting mix of local and national talents, many of which are playing unheralded venues scattered about the Metroplex. The mix of genres represented in our area in the coming days is quite remarkable.First off the shows that were already covered in print or onlin ... More >>

Devendra Banhart

Wednesday, October 12, at The Cavern

Eric Johnson

Friday, August 12, and Saturday, August 13, at Granada Theater

The Fruit Bats

Spelled in Bones (Sub Pop)

Buzzed

SXSW 2005: The crowds, the hype bands and all the Shiner Bock you can drink

Willy Porter

Friday, February 25

A New Texas Jam

Crossroads Guitar Festival celebrates six-strings and the men who make them famous

Strung Out

Looking for a vintage 1973 Taurus Moog pedal board?

Out Here

Not just black and white

Pegasus does its old-movie spoof in Another Murder: Another Show!

The Will Rogers of shred

Andy Timmons never met a style he didn't like

Out Here

The art of implication

Vince Bell's been dead once, and he's got the record to prove it