DISD’s Shell Game

Dallas Independent School District board trustee Ron Price Kent Fischer has a very important story in today’s Dallas Morning News — shoulda been on Page One — revealing that the center has been blown out of the Dallas Independent School District’s whole strategy for recovering from its financial crisis. The…

“Pause for Response.”

That’s what Dallas Independent School District managers are supposed to do, right after they tell a teacher: We really, like totally, screwed up, so, like … um, ya know?. Of course, the suggested small talk — “Hey, man, how’s it hangin’?” — will no doubt cushion the blow of the…

Cookin’ with Ken Hamlin

That’d be a terrible name for a cooking show featuring the Dallas Cowboys safety, along with his friends DeMarcus Ware, Roy Williams, Anthony Henry. Maybe: The Safety’s Off. Or Breaking Up Passes and Meat. No, not that. But I do like jambalaya. –Robert Wilonsky…

AA Flight Attendants to Work the Picket Counter at DFW Tomorrow

A heads-up for those heading to Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport tomorrow: You’ll be greeted by picketing American Airlines flight attendants. The Association of Professional Flight Attendants, which reps the some 20,000 AA employees, yesterday announced it has chosen four airports for its Friday fun: DFW, Los Angeles International, New York’s…

It’s Déjà Vu All Over Again

Anne Raymond at the CATOH press conference a few weeks back We received this dashed-off media release at midnight: “Citizens Against the Taxpayer-Owned Hotel will be holding a press conference with officers and members of the organization present on Thursday, October 9, 2008.” Takes place at 10 a.m. at City…

DISD In the Hole

A greeting, passed along in a coffee shop: “Hey, I haven’t seen you in a long time.” “How are you?” “Just like you—waiting to see if I’ll still have a job.” A long silence followed by a laugh that sticks in the throat and sounds like a last gasp. Those…

SMU To Finally Retire “Dandy” Don Meredith’s No. 17

In real football news — pretty sure SMU qualifies — the Mustangs today announced that come October 18, Don Meredith would be accorded the same honor given the likes of Doak Walker, Eric Dickerson, Lamar Hunt, Raymond Berry and Forrest Gregg. During the SMU-Houston game, the university at which Dandy…

Yes, But Will They Be Paid in Ones?

Plenty of folks have wondered how the city will fill the Cotton Bowl to justify the $57-million makeover. Um, three words: Lingerie Football League. After all, we do have our very own franchise, says the official league Web site — the Dallas Desire! Dunno much about them, as the Seattle…

Howdy, Folks, I’m an Impostor

Flickr photo: futurowoman For those Observer staffers about to head over to the great State Fair of Texas — luckies — this reminder, which was uploaded today by the Flickr-ing “futurowoman.” Only, it’s been a few years since I’ve taken a Fair Day — and, like, is that supposed to…

Sure Hope Perry the Pipe Is Made Out of Solid Gold

Perry the Pipe is not cheap date. Course, he is willing to give you a hand. We sure did have a lot of fun with ol’ Perry the Pipe earlier this summer, when Mayor Tom declared June 1-7 “Cease the Grease” Week in the city. The city’s Grease Abatement Program…

Council Not Playing With Full Deck Park

A very lovely artist’s rendering of the Woodall Rodgers Freeway Deck Park When those financial geniuses on the Dallas City Council committed us to building a $67.7 million “deck park” over the Woodall Rodgers Freeway, they promised us the city’s share would never be more than $20 million. The rest…

The Times, Trinity High and Tonga

Trinity Trojan Elikena Fieilo A Friend of Unfair Park sends along this New York Times tribute to the Trinity Trojans out of Euless, the top-ranked prep football team in the country (and the team with the slowest-loading Web site in the land, as well). Of course, what The Times finds…

Working with the DSO Has Exceeded Jaap van Zweden’s Expectations

Jaap van Zweden, installed last month as the music director of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, hasn’t been around much in recent weeks. Last week, he was in Antwerp with the Royal Flemish Philharmonic, for which he acts as chief conductor. And this week he’s in Chicago, subbing for conductor Riccardo…

Q and Dr. Bob: Two Great Men Give Allison V. Smith Some Love

Allison V. Smith If you haven’t visited the Barry Whistler Gallery to take in our pal Allison V. Smith’s Hall Pass exhibition, well, you really don’t have an excuse. Because, look, if Quincy Jones could find the time to stop by today, in advance of our chitchat tonight at SMU,…