Articles for April 9th, 2008
Run, Walk or Scamper
If you are looking for something to do with the family this Saturday morning, consider the 14th annual Camper Scamper at Reverchon Park benefiting Camp John Marc. There is a 1 mile fun run and walk, a 5k and a 10K run.
I’m more excited about taking my nieces and nephews to the activities: rock-climbing, face painting, water wars and breakfast from On the Border than I am registering the wee ones at 7:00 a.m. for the 1 miler. Weigh your pre-registration options or plan to get up early!
Nothing to do With the Park Cities: Polygamy Edition
For anyone shocked and dismayed by the reports of what’s been going on in Eldorado, I must recommend you read Under the Banner of Heaven by Jon Krakauer. I weep to think I may never write anything as good in my life. It is an eye-opening portrait of fundamentalist Mormonism.
I recently finished it myself, and am pleased that Texas authorities are finally stepping in to protect the hundreds of children who have suffered at the hands of this culture of abuse for too many years hidden away from the law.
Polygamy between adults who sincerely believe “the principle” is part of God’s plan for man is one thing; forcing a 13-year-old girl to marry a 60-year-old man and bear his children, that’s very much another.
Scots Cruise to District 10-4A Golf Title
After a pair of weather delays, Highland Park’s boys golf team won the District 10-4A title on Tuesday at Waterview Golf Course.
The Scots beat second-place Rockwall-Heath by 32 strokes. HP’s Cody Gribble won the tournament with a 138 (66-72). Also for the Scots, Drew Evans got third with a 144 (70-74), and Patrick Nash got fourth with a 149. (74-75). HP’s Richard Kalteyer shot a 151 (75-76), while Chase Adams fired a 154 (74-80).
The Scots now move on to the Class 4A Region II Meet, which is April 25-26 in Denton.
Beautiful Spring Day and a Successful Carnival
Thanks to Julie Conklin for great pictures form Armstrong Elementary School’s carnival on Saturday. Look for more photos in the print edition on Friday.
It was 65 degrees and not a cloud in the sky, a picture-perfect day for a carnival. Armstrong carnival committee volunteers pulled off a fantastic carnival Saturday. Armstrong students and many families in the community enjoyed pony rides, a climbing wall, cake walk, zip line, King Kong slide, bungy jump, and many other fun activities. Others were getting their hair sprayed with all sorts of colors, faces painted, and even colorful casts put on their arms. Students had fun singing karoke while others enjoyed putting their classmates in jail. Goff’s, Boars Head, Mattitos, Stromboli, Chick-Fil-A, Great Adventures, Frito Lay, JD Chippery, and Crystal Clear Water sponsored a delicious lunch for everyone.
Jump for more photos.
“Why I Am No Longer a ‘Brain-Dead Liberal’”
Last night I attended the Hiett Prize Dinner at the Dallas Museum of Art. The featured speaker was playwright, screenwriter, and director David Mamet (think American Buffalo, Heist, The Untouchables, “The Unit”) and the man was wonderfully witty. Here are some of the things he said:
- “The reason I like writing about writing is because it’s easier than writing.”
- “Other actors say, ‘I want to write like you David,’ and I say, ‘Well, I have no choice. You do.’”
- “[Less] isn’t more - Less is better.”
Hypocrites are Fun
While doing my daily runs, I enjoy taking in the nice, clean(ish) Dallas air. But there have been several occasions when I’ll pass someone (or someone will pass me), and I suddenly get a whiff of a cigarette. The last time this happened, the man was on a bike. The time before, a man had been running with a partner, stopped, lit up, and moved just slightly to the edge of the path. I really don’t get it. It seems like such a hypocritical thing to do.
Has anyone else ever noticed this happening while they’re working out?
And before anyone calls me out on my hypocritical workout routines, I’ll go ahead and fess up that sometimes I do go home and instead of drinking water, I’ll drink a Diet Mountain Dew. But that doesn’t bother anyone else. So it’s OK.
It’s Pouring
To follow up on my earlier observation regarding mowing in the rain, I noticed this morning on Caruth that a construction crew was pouring concrete for a new driveway. Now, I’m no construction specialist, but is it a good idea to pour concrete after it’s just rained and there is more rain on the way?