An Immigration Lawyer’s Lament

Dear Mexican: I’m a pocha immigration attorney. Why do Mexicans seem to want me to lie to them and steal their money, and tell them they can become residents even when it’s hopeless? Why can’t Mexicans answer yes or no questions with a yes or no? Why do they have…

Straight Talk Highland Park Presbyterian’s Ditching Its Church

UPDATED SEPTEMBER 17 2014: Last week I wrote an item for our news blog about Highland Park Presbyterian and how they were ditching out of the national Presbyterian Church so they wouldn’t have to have gay clergy. As happens, I learn lots more about topics after my items appear. First…

“Roar” by Katy Perry: Why This Song Sucks

Editor’s Note: Shea Serrano is an award-winning music writer and goofball whose recent exploits include Bun B’s Rapper Coloring and Activity Book. In his new column, he writes about his life and times. History: Katy Perry was born in 1984, except back then people called her “Katy Hudson” because that’s…

Dallas Man Votes Despite Obvious I.D. Discrepancy!

What a letdown. They allowed me to vote. Yesterday when I walked into the firehouse and plunked down my driver’s license and voter registration card, I already had my mental dukes up, waiting for them to mess with me. I was hoping for a fight. In fact that’s why I…

Here’s What’s Wrong With Your Band’s Web Site

Are you a musician? Is your group having issues? Ask Fan Landers! Critic Jessica Hopper has played in and managed bands, toured internationally, booked shows, produced records, worked as a publicist and is the author of The Girls’ Guide to Rocking, a how-to for teen ladies. She is here to…

Nicole Ryann: Deep Ellum Live Tech-in-training

Every once in a while, you see a music fan in Deep Ellum who is having so much fun going to see bands that they inadvertently end up on the professional side of things. Nicole Ryann is one of those, and is now a tech-in-training. And she’s good. She has…

Mayor Mike Rawlings for U.S. Senate in 2014? Little Birds Talk.

The Democrats are talking to Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings about running for the U.S. Senate in 2014 when John Cornyn’s current term expires. Some Democrats. Some kind of Democrat-type persons. And now you pretty much know what I know. The mayor reluctantly conceded to me yesterday that he has been…

Be Proud, Chihuahuas

Dear Mexican: My hometown of El Paso is getting a new AAA baseball team. The owning group just announced the name: the El Paso Chihuahuas. Reasons given? The origins of the dog and the city’s location in the Chihuahua desert, and that it was family-friendly. Many in this city are…

Dallas’ Teachers Unions Are Ready for Combat over Merit Pay

The real issue the teachers unions have with Dallas school Superintendent Mike Miles is not Mike Miles. It’s merit pay. They don’t like it. Angela Davis, Region 4D president of the Texas State Teachers Association (NEA) in Dallas, told me: “TSTA strongly opposes merit pay for teachers.” Rena Honea, head…

DISD District 8 Residency Lawsuit Kaput Until After Election

A lawsuit against the Dallas school district and a candidate for election to the school board brought by his election opponent Kristi Lara was stopped by court order this afternoon until after the November 5 election, according to a lawyer for Lara’s opponent. Jeronimo Valdez, lawyer for DISD District 8…

My Six Worst Relationships and How They Failed

Editor’s Note: Shea Serrano is an award-winning music writer and goofball who recent exploits include Bun B’s Rapper Coloring and Activity Book. In his new column, he writes about his life and times. I went running the other morning. I used to run all the time. I was in shape,…

The Secret To Getting Publicity For Your Band

Are you a musician? Is your group having issues? Ask Fan Landers! Critic Jessica Hopper has played in and managed bands, toured internationally, booked shows, produced records, worked as a publicist and is the author of The Girls’ Guide to Rocking, a how-to for teen ladies. She is here to…

A Love Letter to Gypsy Tea Room, Despite its Flaws

Editor: This year, we’re celebrating the 25th Dallas Observer Music Awards. Our coverage will include recollections from last quarter century of North Texas music. Here, our nightlife columnist remembers the Deep Ellum venue that won nearly every DOMA it was nominated for. Nostalgia is not my favorite color, but looking…

Uber Scandal Exposes Some Very Ugly Traditions at Dallas City Hall

So, wait. We’re not over Uber yet. The city’s attempt to shut down the app-based ride service called Uber and an ensuing special outside investigation produced lots of fireworks this week but not necessarily the last word. We still need to see the big thing. The investigation produced no finding…