Re: Vote For Survivor Jennifer Griffin

There are a few days left. Vote everyday until July 31st for our local hero Jennifer Griffin.

Local Author Turns Pole Dancer?

Charles has offered to do the pole dance, see comments. I know it’s for chicks but maybe they’ll let us bring a guy just once. The publicity from the photos of Geilich on the pole would be…wow! Maybe we could get Jason to take a spin too.

Slaves of Honor?

I know I’m a bit crazy when it comes to the whole wedding thing, but seriously. I’m not this bad. So not only do brides arrange weekend work outs, but they also arrange botox and breast enhancements. I’m sorry. That’s too far. Photoshopping and push-up bras, that’s all you need.

Waters to Teach HPHS to Sing

Mrs. Waters will be taking the reins of the Highland Park High School Choir. From the district:

Natalie Waters has been promoted to Highland Park High School’s choir director effective Aug. 18. She has served as assistant choir director at HPHS since 2005 and as Highland Park Middle School’s choir director since 2007. Waters previously served as assistant choir director at Abilene High School. (more…)

Critical (M)ass

The best Urban Word of the Day- EVER.

Dear Girls Room, Pole Dancing Isn’t For Me. But Tierney…

From the Girls Room:

Merritt & Tierney–
Â
Big thanks on The Girls Room plug!
Â
Tierney, sounds like you’ve already been there, done that– but I’m sending you both a gift certificate for a complimentary spin.
Â
Thanks again!

I can’t take the free pole dancing, Jason says it’s because of ethical considerations and stuff. So, ethically, I can’t pole dance.

Is Dunkin’ Donuts Ready to Give Food Away?

I try not to read Frontburner if I can help it, so you’ll forgive me for linking to this, posted by former People Newspapers managing editor Stacey Yervasi, until just now. Guess there’s nothing wrong with Mustang Donuts? Think Dunkin’ Donuts will offer this service?

Cute Kids and Puppy Dogs

I often joke (only half-kidding really) that the heart of the community newspaper business is pictures of cute kids and puppy dogs. This morning Diane Galloway with the University Park Public Library once again delivered the goods:

Say hello to 3-year-old Morgan and her mother Hilary Shouse.

Now, does anyone have any Park Cities pooches to show off?

Fire on Beverly Last Night

Sorry, I just got into the office, so I’m a little late in sharing this news with Overheardians:

At approximately midnight, while on neighborhood patrol, Officer Chantell West observed flames coming from the rear pool house at the corner of Beverly and Westside Drives. Fire equipment was dispatched, and arrived on scene at 1209 and began extinguishment of the structure which houses a cabana, laundry room and art room. Several solvents and flammables exploded in the fire, causing it to spread to the entire contents which included furnishings and a large number of books and other combustables. (more…)

Camp Ozark or Bust. Or Both.

Tomorrow, my wife and I make the trek into Arkansas Territory (is it a state?) to retrieve our 10-year-old from Camp Ozark.  I’m sure many of you Overheardians are veterans of this journey.  Any advice for rookies, other than to make sure my iPod is full?

That Crazy, Funky, Junky Wizards of Waverly Place Hat Song

Do you ever get a song stuck in your head and it just plays over and over and over? My kids have this one from the Wizards of Waverly Place haunting me today. I actually caught myself at a stop light singing it to myself:

What’s that?

A hat.

A crazy, funky, junky hat.

Longhorn Cup 2008

Longhorn Cup is kind of the Camp Longhorn Olympics, camp officials elaborate:

Campers enjoy bouncing on Blobs covered in baby oil, swimming in costume-themed relay races, tossing rings through hoops on the mighty Lazy Lagoon, creating a chewing-gum sculpture, and playing Ultimate Frisbee.

Here is my daughter (center) preparing for the day with her posse. I know they’re members of the red team because it’s written boldly across their stomachs.

 

 

 

 

 

The baby oil on the blob thing doesn’t look too simple.

(more…)

Corwin Family Strikes Again

A couple of years ago, right after the birth of their 8th child, I wrote a story about University Park residents Mike and Gina Corwin. There are no multiples, it’s the same marriage, no step kids or anything like that. Anyway, I just heard they had their 10th last weekend. When I last spoke with Gina she had just delivered number 9 and they were stopping. Guess not.

I think they should get a trophy or something. Really.

Behind the Scenes on Overheard

To create a post, Overheard bloggers log on to a basic dashboard. If you start a post and save it without publishing it, it is automatically stored in a “drafts” area. You can see the stats on drafts by other bloggers but you can’t open them. Today I noticed this draft in the works:

2008/07/22

Merritt Goes Cuckoo?

Jason Heid

Uncategorized

Of course, it made me curious but it caused me to glance down the list of other drafts and I’d like to know when they’ll be published:

2008/07/15

On the Off Chance You Missed Me . . .

Kersten Rettig

Entertainment,

2008/05/01

It’s Not as Good as Dale Earnhardt Day

Krista Nightengale

Uncategorized

2008/06/26

Donde Esta Nightengale?

Austin Kilgore

Uncategorized

2007/10/04

Elvis Poetry

Charles Geilich

Local News

Vera Bradley is Dead To Me, Unless My Daughter Wants One

I’m a HUGE bag snob and I’ve passed the love of fine accessories on to my oldest daughter. The back to school backpack/tote shopping trip is a multi-generational annual event. So when I found out that Vera Bradley is the must have bag for all incoming MIS students, I wanted to vomit.

I sent photos of the various Vera Bradleys to my daughter at camp along with pictures of the bags we had already discussed (the ones I like better). I told her to be thinking about it and we’d decide when she got home. I’m hoping that some of the Houston girls in her cabin that haven’t fallen victim to the local trend will tell her they’re ugly. Otherwise, I’ll be buying a Vera Bradley.

Another Good Day in Journalism

I get my fair share of press releases in a day. Some are relevant. Some are useful. And then there are some like the gem I received today. It involves a woman, a marriage for all the wrong reasons, a baby, and a legal suit. Jason, I definitely think this deserves coverage. I’ll totally write it. Actually, Merritt may be better with this kind of story.

Jump to read.

(more…)

Kuby’s Clock Update

The University Park City Council is sending the matter to the sign committee to discuss allowing Karl Kuby’s dream to become a reality. Apparently the rules say that no sign can have parts in motion, or display the time and temperature.

Sounds to me like the city is going to end up giving the restaurant the OK. We’ll see.

Report From Camp Longhorn

The most recent letter from camp tells this yucky story:

One of my counselors is always finding baby snakes and one of them bit her on the tongue.

Pole’lates

I must admit that I delete the majority of the press releases that hit my inbox but this one for The Girls Room certainly caught my attention.

The Girls Room, A Yoga and Dance Studio, hosts an Open House this Friday with complimentary cocktails, snacks and a Pole’lates dance class.

Pole’lates? I think you should have to be really hot to take that class. Your average chick just shouldn’t be allowed.

Kuby Goes Cuckoo

Tonight at the University Park City Council meeting, there will be discussion of Karl Kuby’s request to install a large cuckoo clock above his restaurant. The clock would project 8 feet above the parapet wall and be 6 feet 7 inches wide. The city staff says code prevents the request from being approved, but — read the agenda item — they seem to feel a little bad about it:

While a sign featuring moving parts might be distractive and create unnecessary clutter, it could also enhance the eclectic ambience of the shopping center and make it more interesting for shoppers and pedestrians.

Will the council consider revising city ordinances to let Kuby’s go cuckoo? The meeting is at 5 p.m. tonight in the city’s doublewide at Goar Park.  Stay tuned.

A Booming Sendoff

As loyal Overheardians know, our very own Krista Nightengale is on the verge of getting married.

The wedding is in a small town north of Oklahoma City, and Krista is looking for a fun and original way to leave the reception.

Since Krista and her fiance are both alums of the University of Oklahoma, yours truly suggested getting the Sooner Schooner and its two ponies, Boomer and Sooner, to drive them off in the sunset.

A call has been placed with the OU Athletic Department, and we are waiting for a response. But if there are any influential Sooner Overheardians out there that could lend a helping hand, I know a bride that would be extremely grateful.

Camp Longhorn Moms, Top This!

I’m getting much better about the unwritten rules for perfect camp moms. In fact, since last year I’ve really grown in the role. Look at the fab pillow case for the big sis gift being delivered today. And no, I didn’t make it- McCartney’s did. But still, I ordered it. Â

Dunkin’ for Parkies

As Jason was posting his Mustang Donut blurb below I was being courted by a corporate donut guy. Mustang needs one of these guys:

I heard over the weekend that you were concerned/upset about DD taking over the Balls Hamburger space in Snyder Plaza. It would be a pleasure to visit with you about this, how the franchise is locally owned and operated, as well as our plans to become involved in all the communities we open in. Please feel free to call me when you get a chance and hopefully we could get together for a cup of coffee (my treat!).

What’s Wrong With Mustang Donuts?

A reader says we should be on the case:

OK…we’re all wondering…what’s the deal with Mustang Donuts now? Donuts are different. Staff has changed. Weekend lines are missing. Is there a story here?

Last week, when the big Dunkin’ Donuts news was confirmed, Tierney was commenting that she doesn’t understand how a donut place can stay in business. Does anyone still eat donuts often enough to keep them in business?

I have to think there are enough office break rooms in Dallas to keep really good donut stores prosperous for many years to come.

Hold The Guac…

And the Jalapenos and serrano peppers; at least if they are from Grande Produce, a Hidalgo-based produce company that issued a voluntary recall of those three veggies today, according to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration.

A strain of salmonella, different from the one found in tomatoes (St. Paul), was found on their avocados, Jalapenos, and serrano peppers. No illnesses have been reported yet. 

No need to panic. I’ve been calling local Park Cities Tex-Mexeries to find out if they carry food from Grande Produce. Here is your list.  (more…)