Cows on the Loose in the Park Cities

Watch out for loose cows on Hillcrest.

So Long, Ms. Clark

Today is Park Cities reporter Cassie Clark’s last day with People Newspapers. Everyone is out at a celebratory lunch (except me - someone’s got to do work around here) and to wish Cassie a farewell.

Here’s an interesting tidbit: She was our longest-lasting member of the editorial staff at one year and three months.

Let There Be (Expensive) Light

I was asked by our webmaster, Josh Hixson, what I thought about UP charging more for cell phone violations than does HP (with HP only issuing warnings at the beginning of the school year while UP writes real tickets).  I didn’t really have any thoughts on the subject until it hit me in a “Eureka” moment.  UP must pay for its new chandelier somehow. 

And, furthermore, here we go again.  The old “light fixture” was insufficient; now we must graduate to an expensive “chandelier.”  When “carpool lines” are replaced with “queue lines” and “light fixtures” with “chandeliers,” watch your wallet.  Although I’m sure it’s quite stylish.

Re: Happy Birthday, Merritt

And we’re glad you have such awesome picture-taking skills with your newly acquired iPhone. (Photos from an e-mail I received two seconds ago.)

(first one) See I can take lpicts at stop signs. That’s my station.

(second one) Oooooo. Taken in a sch zone

Happy Birthday, Merritt

As your 30s draw to a close, I’m pleased to know you have a new iPhone to keep you company.

Gas Prices Looking Better And Better

I never thought I would say anything like this in my lifetime, but I sure was excited today when I saw gas for $3.29 a gallon at the On the Run and 7-11 on Oak Lawn.

I know that’s an insane statement, especially when, less than 10 years ago, I remember seeing gas for .77 cents a gallon. But after purchasing a gas-guzzling pickup (at a very, very good price) a month ago, I couldn’t be happier to see gas drop about .60 cents.

Keep on falling!

Lady Scots in Pearland This Weekend

The No. 1-ranked Highland Park Lady Scots volleyball team will be playing in the prestigious Nike Volleyball Classic in Pearland Friday-Saturday.

HP (12-4) will be in Division 13. The Lady Scots carry a 10-match winning streak into their first match at 2:30 p.m. Friday against Dawson. HP will also play Montgomery (4:40 p.m.) and Houston Memorial (7:55 p.m.). The top two teams from the division advance to the Gold Bracket, while the other two go to the Silver Bracket.

Scots Football on KAAM 770-AM Saturday

Highland Park’s season opener against Red Oak on Saturday at SMU’s Ford Stadium will be broadcast on KAAM 770-AM. Pregame is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m., 30 minutes prior to kickoff.

However, that will be the only time the Scots will be heard on that frequency this season. The rest of the year, HP football games will be on KFXR 1190-AM. There will also be a pregame show 30 minutes prior to each of those contests.

The Scots are vying to become the first program in Texas to win 700 games, which they can accomplish with a win over the Hawks.

Frightfully Sorry, Old Chap, I Believe You Cut

By the way, when did we begin calling the “car pool line” the “queue line” and start saying “queue up” instead of “line up?”  I don’t remember voting on that.

Are we supposed to “queue up” after a tasty breakfast of kippers and rashers?

No Free Pass For Cell Users in UP School Zones

As you may have noticed, the police departments of University Park and Highland Park are out this week actively patrolling the cities’ school zones for drivers talking on their cell phones and other traffic-related violations.

What you may not know is Highland Park officers are giving offenders a warning this week only, while University Park officers have already issued 32 tickets (over the 2.5 days since school started) to drivers talking on their cell phones in a school zone, according to officials from both police departments.

(more…)

Josh Hixson Gets Breaking News and Passes it Along to FrontBurner

People Newspaper’s own Josh Hixson scores scoop for other blogs, see for yourself.

Maybe I Need Training

So along with a husband, I have also obtained a new child — Miko, a three-year-old Samoyed found in a shelter. As the husband’s gone this week, I’m the sole caretaker of our kid. I have never owned a dog in the city. Growing up, our dogs just roamed the countryside. Needless to say I’m learning a lot.

However, I have a few etiquette questions. (more…)

Victor Tango’s Received The Midas Touch

Saturday’s social calendar for 250 or so included the “invitation-only” soiree Nancy mentioned here.  It was a sneak peek of the soon-to-open Victor Tango’s (September 8th) combined with the birthday celebration of Consilient Restaurants’ friend, Anne Stodghill.  My event-attending friends were pleased with evening’s key elements: great food, creative cocktails and eye candy. As guests worked their way through the packed house, they enjoyed bites and beverages with Hunter Sullivan crooning in the background. Some judge a party by the people, while others determine its success factor by the food and beverage – this event was the perfect mix of all three. I enjoyed the food so much, I captured a Kodak memory of the night’s menu. (more…)

Jamon Iberico de Bellota, The Really Expensive White Meat

Hankering for some $179-a-pound ham? Central Market has you covered. The grocery store, on the southeast corner of Lovers Lane and Greenville Avenue, is now selling the Spanish delicacy that comes from acorn-fed pigs.

Apparently, the U.S.D.A. had to sign off on the slaughterhouse in Spain where the little piggies go “wee wee wee all the way home.”

(more…)

Crossing Guard’s Shiny New Whistle

I’m sure everyone agrees that we’ve needed a crossing guard at the corner of Dickens and Amherst for quite awhile. The new spunky-ish grandpa in neon yellow is totally serious about his job and he’s doing great. But he’s got this whistle, the loudest freaking thing I’ve ever heard. I’m not saying he doesn’t need a whistle but I do think he needs to take occassional breaks from the power chirp.

Captain Merritt Hater, put your cape away. I said we needed him. And I think the whistle is a good idea. But if he never stops blowing it, people will stop reacting to it. I’m just sayin’.

I Think It’s Time for a Snack

I remember the first week I came to work here at People Newspapers. Pokey O’s set up in our kitchen and gave everyone free sandwiches. That’s when I knew I’d make it Dallas.

But I haven’t had the delicious sandwiches since then, and I think now is the time to go. I got this information the other day and thought I’d better share.

Beginning the past Monday and continuing through Sept. 1, Pokey O’s will be promoting the “Jerry Lewis Ice Cream Sandwich” in order to increase awareness for the MDA’s annual Jerry Lewis Labor Day Telethon. This special treat is a scoop of mint chocolate chip ice cream sandwiched between two fudge brownie nut cookies. For every “Jerry Lewis Ice Cream Sandwich” that’s sold, $2.50 will be donated to MDA! This is the first time Pokey O’s has ever been involved with MDA, and everyone is very excited about this promotion.

Kindergarten Mom Rules Vs. Middle School Mom Rules

I’m getting lots of questions in the hallways and on the school sidewalks about which back-to-school things I’ll analyze for columns this year. Funny you should ask…

One thing I know for sure is that some of the kindergarten mom rules are the same as the middle school mom rules and some are very, VERY different. Developing. Please e-mail your thoughts on the matter, I’ll be studying the comlex issue over the next several weeks.

First Day Volcano Scars

My kindergartener had a wonderful day overall. He loves his teacher and his new buddies. He even has his Sissy’s old locker. But he had one traumatizing experience that will likely stay with him forever. It involves a volacano and what could be called carpet burns. More in my column this week.

Snuffers Hot Sauce Change?

This breaking Snuffers news just in:

Those who love the chips and picante sauce at Snuffers are in for a big disappointment. My family went there last night for an end of the summer meal and I was extremely disappointed to learn that – for the first time ever as far as I can recall – Snuffers has changed the salsa that it serves with its chips. The new salsa,  I regret  to report, is very bland. The stuff was so bad it almost makes me wonder if they ran out of their regular salsa and had to substitute store bought for the night.

Anyone else get the new salsa?

Day 2 and I Already Need a Vacation

It’s much harder to wake up on the second day of school, isn’t it?  To add insult to injury, the Mansion’s Chef John Tesar is traipsing through Europe eating and drinking and he’s rubbing it in on his blog.  Makes me want to start planning next summer’s vacation already.  Merritt, you’re quite the planner.  Have you started yet?

Happy to Help, Channel 11

Don’t suppose you want to tell us where you got this scoop? It sounds familiar.

Scots Look Sharp in Scrimmage

Highland Park looked solid in its only scrimmage at Plano West on Friday night at Clark Stadium.

The teams ran 50 plays each, followed by two quarters of running clock. The Wolves scored two touchdowns in the first portion of the scrimmage, while HP got a touchdown and a field goal. However, the Scots dominated the running clock portion, outscoring Plano West 17-0. HP’s first-team defense did not allow a point the whole night.

“Plano West has got lots of talent, so if you can keep them out of the end zone for a scrimmage like this, that’s a good sign,” HP head coach Randy Allen said. “I feel pretty good about it.”

The Scots scored two rushing touchdowns and a defensive TD. Matt Bonano also kicked a 33-yard field goal.

Lady Scots Win Tourney, Surge to No. 1 in State

The Highland Park Lady Scots had an incredible weekend of volleyball at the Justin Northwest Tournament.

Not only did HP win the whole shebang, the Lady Scots went unbeaten in seven matches and in all 14 games they played. Two of those wins came against state-ranked Hereford, including one in the championship match, which vaulted HP to No. 1 in the latest Texas Girls Coaches Association’s Class 4A state poll.

The Lady Scots (10-4) host a dual match against McKinney Boyd and Flower Mound Marcus at 5 p.m. Tuesday.

OMG! Why ON EARTH Did I Buy the Freaking Juicy?

I bought the gonna-die-if-I-don’t-have-it-hoodie and the Juicy t-shirt. My mom even bought the Juicy flats, also on the gotta have list.

What does she wear on the first day? An Old Navy tank type top, denim shorts from Target and Sperry top siders. She wasn’t sure if everyone else would be wearing the Juicy!

Serious About School Zone Enforcement in UP

The parking police were out in force today on the first day of school at Hyer.  There was a uniformed officer on the South side and a plainclothed officer on the North side writing tickets, and Lord help anyone spotted on a cell phone in his or her car.   Clearly, the UPPD means business this year.