The Kids are Alright

VH1 is presenting the latest installment of its Rock Honors series tonight at 8 p.m. This time around it’s British rock giants The Who.

Scheduled to perform, in addition the band itself, are: Pearl Jam, Foo Fighters, the Flaming Lips, Tenacious D and Incubus.

The network aired a fascinating, two-hour documentary on The Who last night. I’m expecting a really good show tonight to honor one of the all-time great bands. Check it out.

The Top of Every Parkie Man’s Xmas Wish List

Let’s face it. Every man wants to be a superhero. In the Park Cities, I’m betting a lot of men wish they were Batman — he’s mega-rich, has cool gadgets, and has a rockin’ car.

E. Paul Zehr is a professor of kinesiology and neuroscience at the University of Victoria in British Columbia. His new book, Becoming Batman: The Possibility of A Superhero could help bring those dreams one step closer.

Set to debut in October, the book addresses the realistic and not-so-realistic aspects of becoming a real-life caped crusader.

Officer Elwonger Speaks About Cush Cops

I just got off the phone with Suzette Elwonger, the University Park police officer who was featured in our blog post about a reality TV show pitch yesterday. She asked me to set the record straight on a few matters:

She says the reality TV show was an idea that she and a business partner had decided to pitch a few years ago. The website that we linked to was meant to be the first part of a presentation to prospective producers. They were also working on a treatment, but decided to abandon the plan, she says, because she had too much else going on in her life at the time, including her duties as DARE officer at Highland Park Middle School. She says she would have gotten permission from the UP police chief before formally pitching the program. She doesn’t know why the website is still up and running.

Police Chief Gary Adams was, apparently, not aware of the website until Merritt pointed it out yesterday. Elwonger told me that her job has been placed in jeopardy by this incident, and that she’s been called in to speak with the chief and her police captain. “It was just a crazy dream idea that we were going to try,” she said.

Stay tuned.

Concert Options Galore on Sunday

Music lovers should flock to the West End on Sunday. From there, picking out a show to go to will be the tough part.

There are three choices of what should be great shows within a mile of each other. In the West End, Soul Asylum will close out Taste of Dallas with a 6:30 p.m. show. Just a stone’s throw away, at the House of Blues, Pat Benatar will play at 7 p.m. And just a tad further up the street, George Michael will play at the American Airlines Center at 8 p.m.

Don Henley and the Boys Back in Big D

The last time the Eagles played in Dallas, the band was on its “Farewell I Tour.”

Get it?

Even they knew it would not be their last time around just yet. The Eagles return to the American Airlines Center Saturday, Sept. 13. It’s one of three Texas dates. They will be in San Antonio Sept. 8 and Houston the following night.

Their tickets are a little pricey, but it’s a great show. You won’t ever hear any better harmonies.

Can You Articulate Aristotle’s Influence on Cartoons?

Then this opportunity (the first one) may be right for you.

This Movie Should Have Never Happened

Before I rip into “The Happening,” I should first point out that I am an M. Night Shyamalan fan. I think “The Sixth Sense,” “Unbreakable,” and “Signs” are all brilliant films told through phenomenal directing.

I wasn’t as impressed with “The Village” or “The Lady in the Water,” but I still think those films had something to offer. I can’t say the same about “The Happening.”

I caught this movie last night, and the only word that can fully explain what I thought about it is “awful.” After a promising opening few minutes, this movie slid into one of the dumbest films, with some of the most God-awful dialogue, I have ever seen. I was thoroughly disappointed.

The plot is dumb, the acting is not good and some of the scenes made it seem like M. Night was aiming to make a comedy. Sadly, I don’t think he was. I hope he can bounce back next time around, although I will be hesitant to run out and see his next movie after this environmental waste of time. The only saving grace was “The Happening” is mercifully only 91 minutes long.

There. I said it.�

How Well Do You Know “Dallas”

To celebrate the 30th anniversary of the television show “Dallas,” The Dallas Morning News created an online quiz to test your knowledge of J.R. and the Ewing fam. Being too young to even remember this show, and having never watched an episode, I’ll leave it to you Overheardians to take the quiz and report back.

Happy July 4

Our office is closed today, of course. I’ve just returned from another fantastic Independence Day Parade sponsored by the Rotary Club. We ran out of hot dogs a little early, but other than that our tent was hopping. Some highlights for me:

1) That we corralled Merritt into riding in our float as Ms. Park Cities People.

2) That, after we’d photographed a pretty young blonde girl in our photo tent, I told her she could have her dad or mom log onto our website — which seems to be having technical difficulties at the moment, so I can’t link to it – to get a print of the photo, and she said “Oh good. Because my mom’s Merritt Patterson.”

3) After State Rep. Dan Branch spoke at the gazebo, the master of ceremonies took back the microphone and said, “Now, since we’re in an election year, we need to give equal time. So please welcome Pete Sessions.” Only in a GOP stronghold like the Park Cities can following one Republican with another be considered “equal time.”

Cuban’s Castle Crumbles

While Merritt was touring Amarillo, Mike Modano and Mark Cuban brought down the house (of sand) at The Palladium Friday night. The hosts of the Reebok 2008 Heroes Celebrity Baseball Game decided to play in the sandbox during the pre-game party.  Their playful roughhousing turned into a tumble off the chillOUT sand castle. While I was busy capturing the Kodak moment, Mike’s wife, Mandy (aka Willa Ford), was quick to clean off her sand covered man.

An Overheardian told me the next evening’s post-game fireworks were better than most he had seen on the 4th.  It makes me wonder, where are the best 4th of July fireworks in Dallas? Overheardians, share the scoop. The time to light up the night sky is here!�

Who Needs Libraries? Kids Do

I’ve been as guilty as anyone the last few years in thinking that public libraries have become obsolete. When so much information is so readily available on the Internet, and when online booksellers allow you to buy just about any book ever printed anywhere in the world from the privacy of your own underwear, who needs the stacks? At least, I feel that way sometimes about an affluent community like the Park Cities, where folks can afford to buy books and have high-speed Internet access.

But today we got another batch of wonderful pictures from Diane Galloway, who works tirelessly to promote the University Park Library. The picture I posted here reminded me how much fun I had trekking to the library on Saturday mornings with my mom, leaving with a big pile of books in hand.

I love the looks of wonder in these kids’ eyes. I may need to go get myself a library card.

Obsessive Mental Father

Remember that Park Cities father who didn’t want to pay for his son’s college education unless he became a Republican? Well, he’s ready to tell you how to run your life now. “You can no more think and grow rich than you can think and grow tomatoes.” Good stuff:

Hootie vs. STP

I spent part of my weekend listening to live music that made me wax nostalgic for my college days. Late Saturday night in Fort Worth, me and a buddy caught Hootie and the Blowfish at Billy Bob’s. I followed that up with Stone Temple Pilots last night at Nokia.

Both shows were very strong, but I have to say that Hootie gets the nod. The band that was all the rage in 1994 following the release of “Cracked Rear View” was spot on with its hits and added a few fantastic cover songs. Hootie covered David Allen Coe’s “You Never Even Call Me By My Name,” which went over like gangbusters at Billy Bob’s, as one might suspect. They also tackled Oasis’ “Champagne Supernova” and mixed a little of Kool and the Gang’s “Get Down on It” in the middle of set-closer “Only Wanna Be With You.” It was truly a fantastic concert experience.

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Are You Lazy if You Don’t Walk the Escalator?

In his review of Wall-E in Friday’s paper, senior editor Glenn Arbery took aim at able-bodied people (without strollers) who don’t walk up escalators. By my rough count, I’d say this is — oh — 99 percent of everyone. Anyway, we thought he might get some response to his complaints, but we had no idea passions ran so deep, as they apparently do for this reader:

Speaking of pet peeves:

The purpose of an escalator is NOT “to speed up the normal ascent of people climbing a stairway”.  That is to say, getting any one person from point A to point B faster is not the goal.  The goal is to move a group of people from point A to point B as efficiently as possible, without compromising safety.  Speed of individual ascent (even average speed of individual ascent) and efficiency aren’t the same thing.

The most common accident that occurs on an escalator is tripping.  Same as on stairs.  In my experience, people walking escalators typically appear awkward and uncertain. (more…)

D Mag Throws Real Estate Agent Shindig and I Hear a New Theory on the Bush’s New Home

My D Magazine brethren were gracious enough to invite me to last night’s Best Real Estate Agents of 2008 party to celebrate this year’s list of the best agents in town, (more…)

Chillout With Celebrities

A great opportunity to spot celebrities in the contest Merritt mentioned here, is at next Friday’s chillOUT at The Palladium.  Lifehouse will provide a special unplugged acoustical performance while celebrities and athletes like Geoff and George Stults, Sam Page, Bryan Greenberg Mike Modano, Jason Terry, and DeMarcus Ware mix and mingle with guests. Auction items include autographed memorabilia from The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Ted Williams, Babe Ruth and others, packages such as a meet and greet with Derek Jeter and his two seats to a Yankee game, along with other great gift items.  Derek Jeter’s package is a definite eye catcher.  Contact Lara Beth Seager lbseager@heroesbaseball.org to purchase tickets for this VIP event.

chillOUT is the pre-cursor to the Reebok Heroes Celebrity Baseball Game on June 28. Saturday’s activities include be a tailgater, home run derby, and celebrity baseball game followed by a fireworks show.  A fun-filled family event with another opportunity for celebrity sightings. Ticket prices start at $5.

Opening Acts are Getting Better

As an avid concert-goer who actually shows up to see the opening band(s) on a bill, I can tell you that they seem to be getting better and better.

Case in point last night’s opener for Death Cab for Cutie at Nokia. It was a band I had honestly never heard of called Rogue Wave. And, despite having a generic band name that doesn’t exactly tip the scales of creativity, they were fantastic. Really good, solid music.

It turns out Rogue Wave has three CDs out, which surprised me a bit because they haven’t really hit it big. I think it’s only a matter of time before people know about this band.

For me, the show came on the heels of two shows with phenomenal opening act(s). I recently saw Elvis Costello open up for The Police, and Lupe Fiasco, N/E/R/D and Rihanna open for KanYe West.

Keep those sold opening acts coming. BTW, Death Cab was awesome.  �

Overheard Where?

See if you can guess where these Overheardian bloggers (Kersten, Charles, and Merritt) ate a power dinner last Friday night? Also present (but not pictured, so as to maintain their innocence) were Kersten’s and Charles’ spouses. Merritt’s spouse said he couldn’t make it, but this is being investigated.

Important blog business was, of course, discussed.

Fortune Says Travel to Uptown

Fortune magazine just named Uptown’s Stoneleigh Hotel & Spa as one of the world’s 33 top new business traveler hotels. Winners were selected based on location, decor and amenities. Overheardians advise the Stoneleigh is also a new spot for celeb sighting, especially in their restaurant, Bolla. The only other Texas hotel to make Fortune’s list is Hotel ZaZa in Houston.

A few hundred lucky Dallasites will be invited to check out the rooms and Penthouse when the Stoneleigh hosts their grand opening soirees, yes plural!, at the end of the month.

Kid Friendly And Free Weekend Activities

Now that school is out, are you looking for some options for your weekend family fun? This Sunday, Central 214 starts Sunday and Monday black-and-white film movie nights in their courtyard. They will serve complimentary popsicles for the kids to keep them chill.

Another option is the 5th Annual CityArts Celebration. The event runs Friday through Sunday with multiple outdoor stages showcasing a variety of cultural performances, culinary demonstrations, wine tasting (for adults) and more!

More Romance for the Dallas Symphony Orchestra

I stopped by the 2008 DSO AT&T Gala launch party on Wednesday at the Meadows Museum. It was the a calm evening with cocktails, appetizers, music, and the usual Parkies and Preston Hollow[ies] patrons of the arts.

However, things picked up when committee members took hold of the crowd to announce plans for the upcoming event: The 2008 gala will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 10, with the theme (more…)

iWant the new iPhone

It’s official. The iPhone 3G will be available in stores July 11. The new phone kicks it up a notch from its predecessor, with high speed wireless 3G capabilities, maps with GPS navigation, and new applications available from the online “App Store.”

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Re: One of my Craigslisters Makes Contact

Wow, I got an email from “Eva” this morning, too!  And how’s this for irony?  She didn’t like my post referencing prostitution, thinking it inappropriate.  Actually, I didn’t mention prostitution, although it could be interpreted that way.  I was writing more of “exotic dancers.”

Love is in the Air

Yesterday, flying out of the San Diego airport, I became aware of a phenomenon that has become the stuff of urban legend.

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Drink Some Sweet, Sweet Tea

Plaza at Preson Center is hosting a contest to find the best iced tea around this Sunday afternoon. Here are the details:

Did you know June is National Iced Tea Month? To commemorate this Southern tradition, The Plaza at Preston Center is hosting its second annual Best Iced Tea Contest on Sunday, June 8, 2008 from 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. to find the best iced tea in the [Ed.: offensive word removed, replaced with Dallas-Fort Worth area] benefiting the North Texas Food Bank. Come taste the wide array of iced tea samples from participating Dallas-area restaurants to determine which restaurant truly has the best iced tea in Dallas - whether it’s a “mom and pop” shop or a prominent Dallas restaurant. Some of last year’s participants included Craft, Celebrity Bakery & Café, Houston’s Restaurant and many other Dallas favorites. The public’s vote will determine the People’s Choice Award alongside a panel of “celebrity judges” who will be handing out the Judges’ Award for the best version of this classic refreshment.

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