Van Zandt County Constable Pat Jordan knew what he was facing when the call came from prospective puppy owners upset about conditions at Moore’s Precious Puppies near Canton. Last May, Jordan had warned operators Renée and Randall Moore to clean up their facility and make certain their dogs had enough…
Thursday, January 15 It may not be on display like ours, but we’ll bet it’s there. Somewhere in the house there is a toy (old or new) that is special. An item that is so important, no matter what spring cleaning occurs, the toy is staying come hell or high…
Our first trip to the opera was confusing. There were supertitles above the action that translated the lyrics (we had no idea it would be so modern), there were many, many people asleep in their seats that cost hundreds of dollars, and the biggest shocker had to be that there…
Thursday, January 1 How the tradition began is up for debate. While searching for the truth, we happened upon www.missvickie.com, which contained answers from Miss Vickie’s older relatives concerning the eating of black-eyed peas on New Year’s Day. (Note: We have no idea who Miss Vickie is, but trusting her,…
Thursday, December 18 Any fan of black-and-white photography has seen Edward Weston’s bell pepper shot, “Pepper No. 30.” Its seductive lighting makes what is to some simply food into something sensual and alive with curves and hollows. His “Eggs and Slicer” and “Chambered Nautilus-Halved” also show his affinity for no-frills…
Raised Episcopalian, we had plenty of ceremony, sit-kneel-stands and real wine at communion. We went to church, crossing ourselves with holy water and attempting to quietly chew stale wafers. Highlights for our bookish, arty personality definitely came by way of finally memorizing the Nicene Creed and, of course, the stained…
Thursday, December 4 We’ve checked our Complete Bartender’s Guide, and we find nothing on something called a Kimbell’s Holiday Mixer. Checking the “mixer” section we find the basics: tonic, juices, sodas, but no word on this elusive Kimbell’s Holiday. Looking into the situation further we find that apparently this unique…
A year and a half ago, this EP wasn’t possible. Tweed was ambitious, sure, but something was amiss and obviously so. Their songs, falling unencumbered into that wide world of Americana, were simple and fun, but Tweed was just another good bar band, known around these parts for their completely…
On a recent trip to that retail Mecca known as Target, a sign grabbed our attention like a 4-year-old holds onto an ice cream cone for dear life. The letters spelled out opportunity, inspiration and glee with a simple message: Now Hiring Part Time/Seasonal Help. As a mid- to late-20s…
Thursday, November 20 Without choreography, a dance performance would probably be like an improv comedy show–either really entertaining or laughable (and not in a good way). For the 2003 Fall Dance Concert at Meadows School of the Arts, they’ve got the choreography covered. Of the three works, a ballet, contemporary…
For 10 years, I’ve been a photographer. Photography is a passion, for sure, and the camera has become a part of me. It may be a cliché, but that’s only because it’s so true. With a camera in front of my face, it is somehow easier to see things. I…
Thursday, November 6 Big state. Big hats. Big country. Big hearts. Camp Summit holds its second auction in a style true to Texas. Dinner, dancing and bidding benefit the camp that caters to pardners young and old who have disabilities. Camp Summit’s Boots and Bandanas Benefit Auction and its presenting…
Tobe Hooper is one helluva frugal director. On a minuscule budget and with the slightest amount of gore, he crafted a classic horror film that some adults still avoid like week-old beef reduced for quick sale. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Hooper are legends. The movie has maintained both a…
Thursday, October 23 No television; no frozen dinners. Home entertainment in 1938 America came from a radio’s speakers, and dinner prep began in the house early in the day. As the kids come in from dusky games of stickball, the knob flips and the living room fills with booming voices…
Thursday, October 9 Kimonos and obis off. It’s time for Japanese moon viewing. Since the Heian period (794-1185 AD), gazing upon a perky Japanese bum has been surrounded by ceremony. A special time with hopes for a good harvest and offerings to the lunar god. Oh, right. Moon as in…
We want men who can cook, juggle every little thing and also suck it up and swallow it whole. And that’s just what we’ll get on Saturday. Well, kind of. As audience members at McFarlin Auditorium, what we’ll actually get is a man juggling change and a man who swallows…
Thursday, September 25 If there’s anything we need, it’s tips on entertaining. Something inside screams that our next throw-down must have more to it than a game of Cranium and Li’l Smokies with barbecue sauce in a slow cooker, so we’re heading to the Dallas Convention Center for the 15th…
Thursday, September 11 Timeless, tried and true. Things deemed “classic” are generally a sure bet. Think about it. Someone says, “That movie was just so classic.” Or, “Now this is a classic spaghetti sauce.” The brain just automatically accepts that the item in discussion is complete, mastered, if you will…
Two-and-a-half years ago Dallas business owner Greg Weiner’s mental light bulb went on. For about a month now, his brainchild has found a home in one of the several bars he owns. It is a dark, womb-like hole in the wall called the Slip Inn, and its description, as well…
Thursday, July 31 Everybody has them. Custom ones, in fact. So different that no other person could ever match them…unless, of course, one is a psychopathic killer who removes them for lack of evidence like in Se7en. But that’s just creepy, so let’s move on. The Kleberg-Rylie Library invites artists…
Maybe it’s just us. Really, we shop at Target for heaven’s sake. We know nothing, zip, zilch and nada about social ranking in New York City, summering and throwing parties in the Hamptons or what it’s like to be a beautiful whore. Based on reactions to Trading Up, Candace Bushnell’s…
Thursday, July 17 Dancing, drumming warriors. Literally, that’s what “Kobushi” (or at least, its three syllables) means. The Kobushi Taiko Drummers are a band of men and women from various backgrounds who all have a passion for performance and for the traditional Japanese drum. Using taiko drums as well as…
