Articles for October 3rd, 2008
Turn Out the Lights
It’s all over at Highlander. HP 62, Greenville 0.
First shutout for the Scots since a 31-0 win over Terrell Sept. 28, 2007. The win adds to three streaks for HP — 51 straight home wins, 43 straight regular-season wins, and 41 straight district wins.
Rival Pearce is up next. That game is next Friday at Eagle-Mustang Stadium.
Other 10-4A finals on Friday: Newman Smith 35, R.L. Turner 12; Royse City 38, Pearce 27; and Rockwall-Heath 38, Rockwall 21.
End of Three at Highlander
HP 48, Greenville 0.
Mai Not Suited Up
HP receiver Austin Mai is in street clothes tonight. Not sure what his injury is or how long he’s out. He had seven catches for 116 yards last week.
Scots Dominating Lions
The Scots are up, 34-0, at the half. Luke Woodley has thrown three touchdowns, including two to Will Liefeste. Bryan Dickenson has rushed for two more touchdowns. The HP defense is playing its best game of the year.
End of the First at Highlander
HP 19, Greenville 0
Press Box is a Frat House
There is no shortage of material for the column in this box. It’s a man’s world. The meat, rootbeer and stats leave little room for lipstick.
So while it’s not exactly my cup of tea, Jr. could stay here forever and be perfectly happy.
Sarah Palin Was All That Today
I attended the political spectacle that was the Sarah Palin luncheon today and it was a hugely successful event (congrats, Alison!). A standing room only-crowd packed the Regency Ballroom of the Fairmont to hear Sarah Palin deliver her spot-on campaign messaging. If you watched the debate last night, you already know pretty much what was said. What’s more fun was the people watching . . .
Wherefore Art Thou, J. Andretti?
(The language in that headline was strictly for Merritt’s amusement.)
A member of our ad sales staff was wondering why J. Andretti Motors on Oak Lawn Avenue has closed. She said she really enjoyed ogling all of the eye candy they worked on there. When you try to visit their website, you get routed to a Hyundai dealership in Mesquite. Our reporter has left messages there to no avail. Any Parkies know what’s up?
Should Real Estate Prices Be Public Information?
In today’s Real Estate section, I look into plans by the city of Dallas to lobby the state legislature to require the public disclosure of real estate transactions.
This would have a huge impact on how DCAD appraisals would work for both commercial and residential properties. While appraisals on homes, particularly those on the high-end of the spectrum, would likely increase, the same would happen with commercial properties, which currently are even more undervalued on the tax rolls than most homes.
In theory, higher valuations means taxing entities could lower their tax rates, something the HP Council couldn’t do this year, and UP Council could only barely muster.
Re: Mr. Monarch
All this talk today about the Million Dollar Monarch has got me thinking about our August 15 story about Oak Wilt. Trees can account for as much as 20 percent of the value of a property, and you can take a huge hit on the selling price of a property with the loss of even one tree.
What’s even more scary is the way diseases like wilt spread. The roots graft together and even by just touching one another, they can contract the disease.
Like a tree STD.
Mr. Monarch Gets a Visit From The Tree Doctor
Just got off the phone with HP’s parks and rec director Ronnie Brown. He informed me of the ongoing investigation by the city and a local arborist into what caused several, very large, branches from the top of the canopy to break from Million Dollar Monarch late Monday evening/Tuesday morning. He also gave me the lowdown on the city’s contingency plan in the event Mr. Monarch can’t get lit this Christmas.
“I think the tree will live,” Brown said. “It’s an important landmark for the community. We are really waiting for the arborist to make some structural decisions so that we can decide if we want the weight of the Christmas lights on it.”
Brown speculates (more…)
HPHS Rock Band Hits the Main Stage at State Fair
After years of playing in Dallas nightclubs and churches, the local band Stanhope is hitting the main stage at the Texas State Fair.
The band, consisting of four HPHS 10th graders, was selected from 23 other Texas bands to open for Jordon Pruitt on Oct. 13.
With all the hype and success of these talented sophomores, I might have to make the trip out to watch them — and while there, grab a corny dog and some funnel cake (yum).
Check out the boys’ website to see more photos and updated info.
The Search is on … For Mrs. Highland Park 2009
For all you Mrs. out there — Get your fitness wear, evening gown, and personal interview ready to go! They’re searching for the perfect and most beautiful wife. Check the jump for more info and where you should submit your bio. (more…)
Overheard at the School Today
Parkie Mom: Did your oldest child go here too?
Another Mom: No, he went to Mesquite.
Silence.
RE: Mr. Monarch
Just ran into our own Park Cities reporter Terry Webster who has made a couple calls about the tree. She tells me that she’s been told that the tree has just been “falling apart.” It’s not going to be cut down — they’re doing some trimming — but it’s likely that it won’t be available this year for it’s usual holiday lighting duties.
Another Cheater in the Park Cities
Ladies, this guy is a ”good friend with a great heart” (a crappy husband but that’s just a minor detail) and he wants to treat you to a drink if you’re OK with this:
Yes, I am married and no I do not want multiple woman.
Um, doesn’t it count as the multiple woman thing if you’re married and e-searching for hook-ups? IJS.
Scots Open With Shootout Loss
The Highland Park hockey team opened its season last night with a 3-2 shootout loss to Southlake Carroll.
The game was tied at 1-1 after the first period and 2-2 after the second. The Dragons outshot the Scots, 40-29.
The Scots got goals from Jay Wingo and Sam McDonald and assists from Thomas Welch and Wingo.
HP will be back on the ice against Coppell at 3:45 p.m. one week from Sunday.
Mr. Monarch Meet Mr. Chainsaw
By now you may or may not know that the Million Dollar Monarch, the massive pecan tree at Preston and Armstrong, is being cut down. The million dollar question is: Why?
Right now we are going around the horn to get a legit answer. As soon as we know you will too.
Meanwhile, feel free to fill the comments section with rumors, speculation, and hyperbole.
Red or Blue? Declare Yourself
It’s crunch time for voter registration as the cut-off date, Oct. 6, is only days away.
I’m sure all you Parkie parents
are registered and looking forward to the ballot box. But what about your 18-year-old student? This weekend, the W-Victory is offering itself as a place for registration as part of the Declare Yourself campaign, which seems a lot more fun than just mailing in a form.
And since you’re down there, go shopping, have a bite, and relax in Victory Park (consider it supporting the local economy).
Advice for Wells Fargo-Wachovia Deal
If I might be permitted to make light of the current economic troubles, I have some advice for Wells Fargo, which appears set to purchase Wachovia. If you’re looking to liquefy some assets, to add to your cash on hand once you take on the troubled bank, there’s a property at the corner of Preston Road and Mockingbird Lane in Highland Park that you might consider selling off. It’s prime real estate, almost guaranteed to sell, even in this down market. I happen to think it’d be a perfect location for a gas station.
Celebrate Texas-OU Weekend in Style
That’s the lovely Krista Nightengale, People Newspapers’ assistant managing editor and a University of Oklahoma grad, sitting inside a 2008 Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder that Platinum Motorcars is marketing for Texas-OU weekend. Krista could barely bring herself to sit inside the orange beast (see how she has her horns down?), but I was more than happy to take it for a test drive. (more…)
Overheard Near The Neighborhood
On my way to work this morning I stopped by a local 7-11 and witnessed this exchange from a disheveled 40-something man dressed in gym shorts, a t-shirt, and Prada slippers.
As he glances back to his lady friend sitting in the black Cadillac Escalade outside, he says to the clerk:
“Is this going to be a problem?” As he waves around a hundred dollar bill like it’s his fitness club membership card.
I wanted to reply with something witty like, “Obviously you’re not a golfer,” but my brain was still half-asleep.
Greenville Comes Calling Tonight
The Scots and Greenville will square off for the 29th time in football at 7:30 tonight at Highlander Stadium.
And the chances of the Lions snapping their three-game skid against HP don’t look too good. Greenville (1-3, 0-1) is coming off a 42-28 whipping at the hands of Rockwall-Heath in its District 10-4A opener. Meanwhile, the No. 3-ranked Scots (4-0, 1-0) have had an extra day to prepare for Greenville after dismantling Carrollton Newman-Smith, 52-14, on Thursday, Sept. 25.
Don’t forget the annual football auction is also tonight at the stadium, beginning at 6:45 p.m. Here’s a fun game within the game — see which ends first, the auction (at 9:30), or Greenville’s faint hopes of pulling off an upset. Give me the latter.
Highland Park High School Dress Code Inquiry
An Overheardian needs help translating the HPHS dress code:
Maybe you can enlighten me on something. What does this HPHS dress code phrase mean: Must wear shorts over sliders
Where I come from, sliders are either little hamburgers (ick) or cute red-eared turtles.
But What Does Palin Think of Josh Howard?
I’m not sure, but I think the Dallas Mavericks got an endorsement from Gov. Palin last night. “Maverick” this and “maverick” that, I felt like I was listening to Dale Hansen.
