Pacman = Game Over?

Out of quarters. And second chances. On the heels of recently being told by owner Jerry Jones to chill down his profile, Cowboys’ cornerback Pacman Jones got into a violent altercation with one of his own security guards at the new Joule Hotel at 1:30 a.m. Wednesday morning. That’s it…

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…

The Mavericks’ Faith In Jason Kidd

Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban says a half-dozen players came to him at the end of last season, expressing a desire to play elsewhere if Avery Johnson remained the head coach. Let’s tiptoe out upon the limb and predict that Jason Kidd was included in the mutiny. Why? Because while…

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…

Never Forget|Strike Back|Focus on Plate, Not Walls

“Collateral Damage,” by Megan Feldman, October 2 Never Forget Just something I feel I need to clear up. This is one person’s view of me and my family’s tragedy. Let’s get something clear: I do not want to forget my brothers. I am not trying to forget…I moved to Austin…

Crises Management

Crises management: The news breaks suddenly, spreading anger, fear and distrust. Massive miscalculations and shaky financial structures threaten imminent doom. Our leaders should have seen this coming but didn’t. Now only massive, painful and unprecedented action will keep us from the abyss. Wait…are we talking about the international banking crisis…

Is there Natural Gas Beneath Dallas County?

Dallas may have cultivated the image of an oil town in the popular imagination. In reality, fortunes here were built on oil extracted hundreds of miles away. Wildcatters just didn’t expect there to be mineral riches under Dallas County, and until the last year, Dallas continued to look on enviously…

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…

Texas-OU: Cue the Goose Bumps

If this doesn’t get you ready for Saturday then nothing can. In fact, Longhorn, Sooner or otherwise, you could probably hear that music at a Briss and bolt out the door ready to tackle somebody. For more Texas-OU inspiration I wrote a column in a fancy advertising section of this…

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…

A Ranking You’ll Find Hard to Believe

Nein danke?! Dirk Nowitzki isn’t one of the 10 most popular NBA players in Europe. I know. What gives? Technically, I guess, it’s his uniform that isn’t so loved as Dirk’s No. 41 isn’t among the NBA’s just-released list of most popular jerseys across the pond. Kobe Bryant is No…

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…

Dallas Wants, Needs Mark Wahlberg and Frank Campagna On That Wall

Patrick Michels Well, there’s something you don’t see every day: Frank Campagna and Marky Mark, hunh. The tandem were brought together by the magic of Max Payne, which Mark Wahlberg was in town to promote yesterday during what turned out to be a rather star-studded Tuesday. The Kettle Art-ist, famous…

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,…