Articles for October, 2007
Candy from the Carters is Better
My 4 year old has made friends with everyone’s favorite Kuby’s regulars, Mr. and Mrs. Don Carter. He HAD to go see them because Halloween at their house rocks! The child walks down the red carpet to a funny mirror and requests a certain kind of candy. Magically, a king sized candy bar pops out- the very one you asked for! We’re talkin’ HUGE candy bars! (more…)
Armstrong is the Safest Place on the Planet Right Now
My wife just called in to say she passed 7 cop cars, at 7 different intersections, along Armstrong Parkway. Presumably for Halloween?
Re: Beverly Time Trials
So, Beverly is faster and it’s already the established alternate route.
Hey, Beverlites, just suck it up and do your time.
Boo to the Scary Nutrimom
Rumor has it that tater tots were taken off of the menu at UP Elementary because of some overactive nutrimom (I just made this word up, like it?). But then I got this from a teacher in the know:
I heard today that there were so many complaints about the missing tater tots that they have been reinstated!Hip Hip Hooray!
Who’s Hosting Cheney?
All right Overheardians: which of you is throwing the big event for the vice president of the United States tomorrow night?
SMU Announces Distinguished Alums
Unfortunately our own Scott Farrell, Sarah Henry, and Austin Kilgore were overlooked this year:
International and civic leaders, a former athlete turned dentist and an emerging Broadway star will receive the Southern Methodist University Distinguished Alumni Award, the highest honor the university bestows upon its graduates.
The 2007 recipients include Linda Pitts Custard, James B. Gardner, the Honorable Antonio O. Garza Jr. and Rick Herrscher. Nathan H. Allen will receive the Emerging Leader Award, which recognizes an outstanding alumnus or alumna who has graduated within the last 15 years. The Distinguished Alumni Award banquet and ceremony is at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 8, at the Fairmont Hotel, 1717 N. Akard St.
When No Really Means Yes
How many times have we heard “no means no”? (If you were in a fraternity, probably a million, but I digress.) The point is, I just overheard one colleague ask another whether voting “no” on Nov. 6 means she’s pro- or anti-tollway in the Trinity River corridor, and I realize we still have a problem. The People Newspapers editorial board made sense of it here, and in Oak Cliff People Chuck Cox made it pretty clear that “no” means yes for the tollway, and, conversely, “yes” means no. And we all know how the Observer’s Jim Schutze feels. I’m just worried that a lot of people are still confused, and it seems pretty obvious that confused people don’t vote.
Daylight: Brought to You by the Candy Lobby?
The New York Times‘ City Room blog has an interesting item about why daylight saving time isn’t taking effect until after Halloween.
Here’s a hint: Your little goblins may have a bit more light when they beg for sweets along Beverly this evening because Hershey and Nestle lobbied congress.
Reid and Merritt: One and the Same?
The following rumor just filtered my way:
At a dinner party last weekend a group of Parkies said they believed that there is no Merritt Patterson and that Reid writes the column under that name. They took it a bit further and said that if Merritt does exist she doesn’t really write it, Reid does.
One of the partiers even said, “I knew his mama and he writes that column.”
This is interesting. I can verify that there is indeed a woman who claims to be named Merritt Patterson (though I have not asked to see identification). And that woman is better looking than Reid would be in drag.
But, come to think of it, “Merritt” only ever submits her columns via e-mail. For all I know, maybe Reid is the brains behind the operation?
The fact that the columns are consistently turned in on the day they are due leads me to believe our beloved founder is not responsible for them, however.
Beverly Drive Time Trials
I just came back from lunch with a Beverly Drive resident who took issue with our most recent editorial. He convinced me that he is sincerely concerned about the safety of children walking to Armstrong Elementary. He said his wife has been driving his daughter the half of a block to school each day because of it.
His favored solution is not to shut down Beverly Drive entirely, but to make Beverly one way (going west only) while sending the traffic that would be headed east on Mockingbird down Armstrong to Abbott and back up to Hillcrest. He said he’d timed it and that the Armstong/Abbott route is faster than is Beverly in its current state.
Since it was a nice day, I decided to put this to the test. To see the results of my unscientific time trials of the different routes between the intersections of Armstrong/Beverly and Beverly/Hillcrest, (more…)
Re: Kids Too Cool for Halloween
Krista, I think you witnessed people preparing for the Cedar Springs Halloween costume parade. Did you see this guy?
Re: Kids Too Cool for Halloween?
I think it’s interesting that there’s a certain age where it is definitely not cool to dress up, but then just a few years down the road, it becomes acceptable again.
Last Saturday at eatZi’s, I was eating on the patio next to Oak Lawn and saw no less than seven people (all older than 25, some probably around 50) walk by in full ensembles.
So what are the guidelines here? When must you stop and when can you resume dressing up?
Re: Kids Too Cool for Halloween?
My fourth-grader told me his idea for a Halloween costume, and I think it would scare the bejeebers out of any Parkie. He is threatening to dress as a “nobody.” A nobody in the PC? AHHHHH!
Art for the Bridge
Last night I attended the Art for the Bridge underwriters party in the beautiful home of Priscilla Beshears. Familiar faces mingled throughout the house as a band played in backyard and a full staff served cocktails and appetizers.
It is the second year for Art for the Bridge, founded by Priscilla, and the organization is ready to take off with the upcoming events.
The 2007 Art Auction will take place in early December and benefits The Bridge Breast Network, which helps low income, uninsured individuals find treatment for breast cancer.
Park Cities People Triumphs Again
What’s that Dallas Morning News? Oh yeah, I read that last week in Park Cities People.
Like that it took you two bylines too.
Kids Too Cool For Halloween?
A member of the illustrious People Newspapers staff just told me, on the elevator ride up to our office here at Hampton Court, that her 9-year-old brother was considering not dressing up for Halloween this year because he was afraid he’s too old to do it.
I weep for our children.
Talking and Walking
Now that Highland Park is considering banning the use of cell phones by motorists in school zones, I want to point out another problem I’ve seen in Highland Park Village, near SMU, Downtown Dallas, and many other places. This is the problem of pedestrians talking on their cell phones as they step right into traffic.
I haven’t actually heard of a court case involving this sort of thing yet, but it’s bound to happen.
Almost Halloween
My four year old just told me he wants to go to bed because, “it’s only one more sleep til Halloween.”
Scary Good
I just returned from NorthPark Center where the Highland Park High School orchestra, festive in their Halloween costumes, performed an outstanding concert. I’m telling you, they were scary good. Yay to the orchestra programs in HP. If any of you Overheardians are Neverheardians and have never heard either the HPMS or the HPHS orchestras play - find out when and where their holiday concerts will be and GO!
Re: UP Online Auction
If you’re wondering where the auction proceeds go, here’s the scoop:
Proceeds from our auction event will go to University Park Elementary in order to support (1) classroom resources, (2) classroom technology-rich learning environments, (3) building and grounds, and (4) professional learning and salary support for our teachers and staff. Building on an 80 year tradition of excellence, your generosity has ensured UP’s future as a Top Quality Performer in the district, state, and the nation.
Who votes for this addition?
(5) a paid cafeteria crew
Highlights From The UP Online Auction
Teacher for a Day:
Ms. Collins, second grade: $850, Ms. Stewart, third grade: $800, Ms. Mewhirter, first grade: $675
Belle for a minute day:
5 lucky gilrs attend a morning practice and sit with the lieutenants at a home varsity football game: $1250 (more…)
Stars in My Eyes
So last night wasn’t so great for Stars fans. Not only did Modano not get the record, but the Stars lost. However, it was a great night for PCP reporters. With great seats and great company, I couldn’t help but enjoy my first ever Stars game.
I consider myself a pretty tame, calm person. But something about those guys skating around and pounding each other into the walls made me really want to see them fight. I think there were only one or two, but by far, that was my favorite part of the evening. 
Gigantic Pumpkin Wall
On Saturday, Oct. 27, the Central Dallas Ministries had the Life is good: Pumpkin Festival featuring a wall that was 40 pumpkins high. My roommate and I, unaware of the wall of glowing pumpkin faces, were quite frightened on the first glance (all in the Halloween spirit, I guess).
However, when we realized it was not a scene from the (horrible and embarrassing) movie Wicker Man, we ventured out of our building and walked around the festival… And it was fun.
Scott Simon is a Cubs Fan
So, we already told you about Scott Simon coming to the HPHS Literary Festival on Nov. 13. This is just a reminder that a book club will discuss his novel Pretty Birds on Monday at the University Park Public Library. So you have less than a week to read it, or you could just check out the first eight pages, just enough to fake it and show up for the free refreshments.