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Fort Worth’s Bobby Patton Becomes Co-Owner Of LA Dodgers

jeffburkett — Fri, 25 May 2012 20:04:30 +0000

The new owners of the Dodgers (from left to right): Bobby Patton, Stan Kasten, Mark Walter, Magic Johnson, Peter Guber, and Todd Boehly. (Damian Dovarganes / Associated Press)

FORT WORTH (CBSDFW.COM) – When you hear the name Mark Cuban the Dallas Mavericks come to mind, right? Jerry Jones? The Cowboys. Nolan Ryan? You get the idea.

How about Bobby Patton?

If you’re involved in the Fort Worth scene, you probably know Bobby and his wife, Sherri. You know them as a generous supporters of various charities who are passionate about their children’s interests. They are also big sports fans.

He is a lifelong Rangers fan, attending World Series games the last two seasons. Patton has been involved with the Crown Plaza Invitational at Colonial for 20 years. In fact, he will take over as the tournament chairman once the 2012 tournament concludes this Sunday.

The Pattons have a suite at the newly renovated Amon G. Carter stadium on the TCU campus. He can’t wait for his alma mater, the University of Texas to play in Fort Worth in 2013. His college buddies are already lobbying for an invitation to that game. They’re also season ticket holders at Cowboys Stadium. For the record, they’re the really good ones where guests drink the good booze and can rub elbows with T. Boone Pickens, Lana and Barry Andrews and Lee Ann and Alan White.

Beyond that, you might not know much about Bobby Patton. Until now. Patton, along with four other men, including former Lakers great Magic Johnson, and four insurance companies are the new owners of the Los Angeles Dodgers. The group paid a record $2.15 billion dollars for the franchise.

Patton is not some minority owner, mind you. Three of those five owners wrote really big checks, I’m talking nine-figure checks. Bobby Patton, a graduate of Fort Worth’s Paschal High School, is one of those men.

The group, known as Guggenheim Baseball Management, originally tried to buy the Houston Astros.

“We got to that party a little late,” he told me from his Fort Worth office off of Camp Bowie. “The next team up was the the Dodgers and I couldn’t be more pleased with the fact we didn’t get the Astros.”

To put it in Texas Rangers terms, Patton will be a low-key owner similar to the Rangers co-chairmen Bob Simpson and Ray Davis. Magic Johnson is their Nolan Ryan.

“As far I’m concerned he can be the face of the Dodgers. To a large extent, he is.”

Patton doesn’t expect his life to change that much now that he owns one of professional sports most iconic franchises. He will still live in Fort Worth and attends his children’s sporting events. He will have to quit one of his passions – the fantasy football league he’s been playing in for the last decade.

“That one, I’m going to miss,” he deadpans.

Perhaps the fact that, as a MLB owner, he can walk into any ballpark in the major leagues makes up for that. That’s certainly a good perk but, ever the thorough businessman, he was curious about parking.

“I was a little bit embarrassed when I asked this question. ‘What about parking? Is there a parking aspect of this?’ A fella looked at me and said ‘Well, most of the owners usually have a driver’. I was like ‘oh, well i knew that. I was just asking,” he says with a smile.

At that heart of it, Patton is first and foremost a fan of the game. The new owner was even reluctant to take home a souvenir from one of his first tours of Dodger Stadium.

“The clubhouse manager said if you want to take a bat home to your kids you can. “I was like ‘I can’t take Matt Kemp’s bat’ and he said ‘No, you really can’.”

His son and daughter now have Kemp’s and Andre Ethier’s bats hanging in their rooms.

Ironically, Patton was never asked to be a part of the Rangers ownership group. When I asked him if he would have like to have been included in the group to own part of his favorite childhood baseball team, he paused for a moment.

“I think if that had happened it might have precluded this opportunity. Right now, even with the benefit of hindsight, I wouldn’t undo it. I’m very happy with where I am right now.”

He’d be even happier if the Dodgers continue playing the way they are. Los Angeles (30-14) currently has the best record in Major League Baseball. There is a real possibility that the the team he owns could ultimately play the team he loved at young Fort Worth teen, the Texas Rangers, in the World Series.

If that happens?

“If the Dodgers and Rangers ever play each other, my life long favorite team, I hope they never score a run.”

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Remembering The Stevenson Men Of Frost, Texas; This Memorial Day And Always.

jeffburkett — Fri, 25 May 2012 19:56:58 +0000

Although I use the last name “Stevens” professionally, my real last name (maiden name) is Stevenson. I will never forget the conversation I had with my Grandpaw Steve in which I told him that my on air name was Tasha Stevens. He seemed hurt, and at the time, I had no idea why. I changed my name to ward off freaks who sometimes hassle media people, but my Grandpaw saw it differently. Years later, I understand why.

Grandpaw grew up in Frost, Texas…a small town about 65 miles south of Dallas… with a family who today would be described as sharecroppers. They grew cotton. The future of a sharecropper is not bright. You work the land and whatever money you make is spent at the company store, so basically, your profit is going back to the people who own the land you farm. You never get ahead.

WW2 arrived in the little town of Frost just as it arrived everywhere else in America, and the Stevenson men did their part to defend our nation. My grandfather was unable to enlist due to a leg that was shrunken by Polio. However, five of the Stevenson “sons” did leave home to fight. Two never returned.

John C. and Robert Lynn died in battle, John in the Pacific campaign and Robert in Europe. Robert kept a diary, beginning with his departure for Europe and continuing through the deaths of all his friends aboard the Flying Fortress. You can actually read Robert’s words as he came to the realization that he would never return home.

Not only did the two Stevenson men give their lives for our nation’s freedom, but they gave their lives for the freedom of their parents as well. The military offered a monetary award of sorts to the families of those who died in battle. My great grandparents rejected the idea and did not accept the money. The remaining Stevenson children saw it differently. They accepted the money and in doing so, bought their parent’s freedom by purchasing the land their parents had farmed so tirelessly.

I am proud to say that I now live in Frost, Texas. Each day, I drive past the hill that was once farmed by my Great Grandparents, the Methodist church they helped rebuild after the tornado that all but destroyed Frost in 1930, and the old buildings that were once a bustling farm town. I am also proud to say that I am a Stevenson…the granddaughter of William Roswell Stevenson and the great-granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. TW Stevenson.

Please allow me to introduce you to my family.

B.L. Stevenson

PFC 1/c Brown Lea Stevenson, son of Mr. and Mrs. T. W. Stevenson, Frost, was born Mar 27, 1906. His wife is Mary Strain Stevenson of Electra. Attended Frost Public Schools.

Entered service Dec 28, 1943, at Dallas. Assigned to Army, Eighth Service Command. Trained at Camp Wolters. Served at Ft. Sam Houston; Camp John T. Knight, Oakland, Calif.; Camp Haan, Riverside, Calif.; Turlock, Calif., Vancouver Barracks, Wash.

Was discharged March 15, 1944.

Military Marker at Frost Cemetery, Frost, Navarro Co., TX

J.C. Stevenson

S/Sgt John C. Stevenson, son of Mr. and Mrs. T. W. Stevenson, Frost, was born Apr. 18, 1916. Attended N.T.S.T.C., Denton.

Volunteered Aug 17, 1942. Assigned to A.A.F. Trained as Sheppard Field; Buckley Field, Colo.; Harlingen, Texas. Served overseas from Sept., 1943 to Jan., 1944, as gunner on Liberator Bomber in Pacific. Flew 21 missions.

Plane shot down by Japs Jan. 8, 1944, at Kendari, Celebes, crashed and exploded. Crew was never found or heard from. Eye witness stated possibility of men being thrown clear.

John Clendenning Stevenson

Marker at Frost Cemetery, Frost, Navarro Co., TX

W. E. Stevenson

T/Sgt. William Edgar Stevenson, son of Mr. and Mrs. T. W. Stevenson, Frost, was born Sept 10, 1918. Attended Frost High School and N.T.S.T.C., Denton.

Volunteered Apr. 7, 1942. Assigned to A.A.F. Trained at Harlingen, Texas, and Wendover Field, Utah. Overseas from Mar., 1944, to Sept, 1944, in European Theater as radio operator on Liberator Bomber in battles of S. France, Normandy, and Germany.

Received Air Medal with 3 Clusters, D.F.C., American Defense Ribbon.

Was discharged Sept. 18, 1945.

T.F. Stevenson

2ND/Lt. Thomas Fletcher Stevenson, son of Mr. and Mrs. T. W. Stevenson, Frost, Texas, was born Jan. 24, 1910.

Entered service Mar. 5, 1942, at Leavenworth, Kans. Assigned to Army Medical Corps. Trained at Camp Barkley, Texas. Served overseas from March, 1944, to Dec., 1945, seeing action in New Guinea and P. Is., and also in the occupation of Japan.

His company, 411 Medical Collecting Co., was awarded the Meritorious Service Unit Plaque for outstanding devotion to duty of exceptionally difficult tasks.

Was discharged Feb 2, 1946.

Died Nov 28, 2001, bur at Frost Cemetery, Frost, Navarro Co., TX

R. L. Stevenson

T/Sgt Robert Lynn Stevenson, son of Mr. and Mrs. T. W. Stevenson, Frost, was born Feb 10, 1921. Attended N.T.S.T.C., Denton.

Volunteered for Army Air Corps Jan. 1, 1942. Overseas from Oct., 1942 to Mar., 1943, as aerial gunner on a Flying Fortress, 303rd Bombardment (“Hells Angels”) which flew first 200 hours over France and Germany; also a member of the Yard Bird Crew which fought off 26 enemy planes.

Lost his life returning from a mission to Lorient, France.

Awarded 2 Air Medals, Purple Heart.

Frost Cemetery, Frost, Navarro Co., TX

Is UFC’s Big Country Ready For Pro Wrestling?

jeffburkett — Fri, 25 May 2012 16:38:59 +0000

DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) – I had a chance to talk with one of the UFC’s best verbally entertaining fighters in Roy Nelson. We talked about his upcoming fight on Saturday night with Dave “Pee Wee” Herman.

Roy hints at a possible UFC departure is the money is right. Big Country also talks about a possible run to professional wrestling comparing himself to two sport athletes Deion Sanders, Bo Jackson and Michael Jordan.

PLAY: Listen to the greatness that is BIG COUNTRY!

Download: 5-25-12-roynelson.mp3

Don’t forget to turn into the UFC 146 post fight show hosted by myself and Richard Hunter Saturday night live from The Fan Sports Lounge. We will be joined by UFC lightweight Anthony Njokuani who will be at TFSL watching the pay-per view before hopping on the air to co-host the post-fight with us.

There is no cover at TFSL for any pay-per view events so save yourself $55 and come party with us at TFSL!

You can follow me on twitter @mmamiked

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Whitt’s End: 5.25.12

jeffburkett — Fri, 25 May 2012 16:01:19 +0000

Whether you’ve reached the end of your rope or merely the end of your week, welcome to Whitt’s End:

*After that 15-4 start that had the Metroplex on the edge of its seat with every pitch, the buzz over the Texas Rangers has at least momentarily dulled. Since then the Rangerzzzzz are only 12-14. Josh Hamilton hasn’t homered in 11 games and over 50 at-bats. Amazingly, they still have a comfortable lead in the AL West.

*Vegas’ first odds of the NFL season are out. Cowboys’ over/under for wins is 8.5. Give me the over. Way over.

*Lamar Odom is gone from the Mavs, but his ashes are an asset. Expect him – and other players, etc. – to be traded before the June 28 draft, for Paul Pierce, Pau Gasol or perhaps Atlanta’s Josh Smith.

*Cowboys’ fans aren’t supposed to be happy when opponents get injured, because of karma or something. Screw that. Think the Giants were sad when Demarco Murray went down last year? And what’d it get ‘em? Super Bowl. I applaud Hakeem Nicks’ broken foot. At the very least, he’ll miss the season opener vs. Dallas Sept. 5.

*Saw The Dictator last night. Spoiler alert: Damn skippy. If you are easily offended by non-politically correct language please go see it, because I love it when you people are offended. Favorite line: “I guess I want to apologize for some of the things I said about Captain Hook and blackie.” You’ll giggle.

*Memorial Day honors those American military killed in battle; Veteran Day honors those who have served.

*HOT

*NOT

*With HBO needing a decision by June 1, the Cowboys are still in play for Hard Knocks. Stay tuned.

*Happy birthday, RAGE. It was two years ago that I did my last radio show with Newy Scruggs, giving way to my partnership with Greg Williams. At The Fan’s 3^rd annual Memorial Day party this Monday we’ll be live and local all day, with roundtables of rotating hosts from 10a-6p. Save me some barbecue.

*Fight I’ll never win but also never surrender: It’s Dirk No-Witz-ki. I’ve asked him, have you? He pronounces it with a W. Latest irrational explanation is that he changed the pronunciation – from the German V for W – just to appease big, dumb Americans who were too lazy to say it right. But, listen, I’d say 9 of 10 people say No-Vitz-ki. So, what’s his motivation at this point: To say his name wrong when the majority is saying it right? To continue to attempt to fix something that ain’t broken? Or, perhaps he’s been saying it right all along. Duh.

*So I go online to renew my car registration and it’s $65.25, plus a $2 convenience fee. Wait a minute, convenience fee? Not a bigger rip-off in this world. We’re being charged for someone sitting at a computer and clicking, rather than a person physically opening an envelope?

*French Open > Indy 500. My favorite tennis major, because it’s the most difficult to win. Seven matches over 13 days in the searing heat and grueling clay of Paris. Fantastic theater.

*As a guy who was raised Southern Baptist, this disgusts me. In other words, I’m totally against this preacher.

*Memorial Day is Monday, otherwise known as the 1-year anniversary of when an inebriated Richie Whitt slurred his infamous “Whazzup FanFannzzz” on 105.3 The Fan. Encore? Doubtful.

*An inmate from the Coffield Unit in Tennessee Colony, Texas writes me a letter every month. Doesn’t directly threaten me, but details how he’s violent and how he’s escaped from prison three times already. Wants me to “shut the f*ck about calling inmates pieces of sh*t.” Funny, because I’ve never once said that.

*If it’s good enough for Peter Griffin it’s good enough for me. So, when someone makes reference to an object, any object – chair, football helmet, lunch menu – retort thisaway: “Is that like an iPad?” Good times.

*In case you missed it and want to see how truly dorky RAGE is, our TV commercial is right here.

*New 105.3 The Fan lineup beginning June 4. Two words: Hubba. Hubba.

*Get well soon, Greggo.

*This weekend? Today we’re at Al Lamb Honda in Dallas on 635 celebrating Memorial Day. Saturday it’s a double-header, first at Vandergriff Honda in Arlington Noon-2 then Baby Dolls on Northwest Highway for UFC 146 9-??? Sunday, the Sabbath. Don’t be a stranger.

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DFW’s Best Memorial Day Weekend Events

KTVTPhil — Fri, 25 May 2012 15:00:21 +0000

There's never a shortage of fun and entertaining activities in North Texas, but the exciting only ramps up for the long Memorial Day weekend. Check out what's happening around town.

Eye On Traffic: May 26 – June 1

KTVTPhil — Fri, 25 May 2012 14:59:58 +0000

DALLAS COUNTY
By Julie Fisk, KRLD

The ‘Welcome Home Hollie Cavanagh Parade’ is happening in McKinney on Saturday morning at 10:00 a.m. so expect closures all around the historic downtown area.

The CityArts Festival is going on all weekend long, so you will see more congestion than usual around Fair Park.

The Texas Rangers have home games at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington nightly until Wednesday. Expect delays on Interstate-30 and around the ballpark near game time.

A big show is coming to the American Airlines Center next Friday. Nickelback, Bush, Seether and My Darkest Days are playing on June 1, so traffic in that area will be backed up that night.

The left lane of eastbound Interstate-635 will be closed nightly between Luna Road and Interstate-35E.

Alternating lanes will be closed on Highway 75 north from Highway 121 to Virginia Parkway from 8:30pm to 5:30 a.m. nightly for construction until June 18.

You never know when something big is going to happen (like a cattle-hauler spilling cattle on Interstate-35E right before rush hour), but you can always find out with Traffic & Weather on the 8’s on 1080 AM KRLD.

TARRANT COUNTY
By Teresa Frosini, CBS 11 News

Great News! The DFW Connector Project will be put on hold this weekend due to Memorial Day. Next week, expect the normal nightly closures from 8:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.

Grapevine Mills Mall is hosting the X Games showcase, so even though there isn’t construction in the area, expect delays.

Expect delays this weekend in Fort Worth due to The Colonial on Interstate-30, University Drive and Interstate-35W at Berry Street.

Watch for lots of traffic around area lakes this weekend, on and off the water. Have a happy and safe Memorial Day weekend.

Hamlisch Honors Memorial Day In Dallas Concerts

Ryan Crowe — Fri, 25 May 2012 01:56:28 +0000

DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) – He is one of the world’s premiere composers and conductors and we are proud in North Texas to call Marvin Hamlisch our Dallas Symphony Pops Conductor! He’s won 3 Oscars, 4 Grammys, 4 Emmys, a Tony and 3 Golden Globe awards but he says he is happiest just being on stage performing and entertaining.

For the past 2 years Mr. Hamlisch has brought the best of Broadway, Hollywood and beyond to the Morton Meyerson Symphony Hallas conducting various themed concerts. Friday and Saturday nights he celebrates our military with a special Armed Forces Salute just in time for the Memorial Day holiday.

Hamlisch will conduct the orchestra in some traditional patriotic tunes like God Bless America and She’s a Grand Old Flag but reminds us there are lots of very rousing and great American songs that are patriotic as well as the classics. There will be a full choir on stage and at the end of the concert, Hamlisch will ask members of the military to stand as he finishes the evening off with special tribute songs to the Marines, Army, Air Force, Navy and Coast Guard. He says he hopes one day to perform these songs for our men and women who serve when all are home safe and we are not at war.

Mr. Hamlisch will return in two weeks for 2 evenings with Michael Feinstein as they perform the best of Cole Porter, Friday 6/8 and Saturday 6/9 at the Meyerson.

Next year he returns as our Pops Conductor for the 2012-2013 DSO Pops season with tributes to the Wicked Divas and Frank Sinatra. He is thrilled to be a part of the North Texas arts community and is impressed with our commitment and patronage. Fingers crossed Mr. Hamlisch will return year after year!

UFC 146 Dos Santos Vs. Mir: Expect Quick Finish

jeffburkett — Thu, 24 May 2012 23:23:18 +0000

DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) -

Grappler vs. Striker

Saturday night at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas UFC Heavyweight champion Junior Dos Santos (14-1 MMA, 8-0 UFC) puts his title on the line against former 2 times champion Frank Mir (16-5 MMA, 14-5 UFC).

At first glance this fight almost has an old school UFC feel pitting the best striker in the Heavyweight division(Overeem cheats so he doesn’t deserve that title) I Dos Santos against easily the best grappler in the division in challenger Frank Mir. Mir has 8 submission finishes in his UFC career and Dos Santos has finished 5 opponents by either KO or TKO with the lone submission victory also coming from punches when he defeated Mirko Cro Cop by verbal submission at UFC 103 in Dallas.

I feel that the biggest key to this fight will be which fighter is able to handle himself best when out of his comfort zone.

Mir has developed into a very well rounded fighter and has finished strong strikers before in Check Kongo and Mirko Cro Cop. Dos Santos has faced and defeated one of the best grapplers in the world when he knocked out Fabricio Werdum in his octagon debut in a fight that never hit the ground. The fight starts standing and if Mir is not able to test Dos Santos on the ground it could be a very long or maybe even short night for the challenger. If the fight does make it to the ground Dos Santos will be truly tested by Mir who has arguably the most creative and diverse jui jitsu attack in the Heavyweight division.

Don’t miss the 1^st round!

This fight is going to be very exciting in the early going.

Dos Santos has finished 5 out of 8 UFC opponents in the 1^st round and Mir has 8 first round submission victories to go along with one DQ victory and 3 first round losses. 14 out of Mir’s 21 career fights have ended in the first round which includes 3 first round KO/TKO losses.

When Mir was asked about the importance of the first round he said” Dos Santos, all his knockouts are in the first round, my submissions came in the first round too, so I realize that both of us are most dangerous in the first round.” When asked about what makes the champion so dangerous early on Mir had high praise for Dos Santos’ boxing ability “ It’s his speed, how fast he can throw his hands and like all people as the fight goes on it’s impossible to be just as fast as you were in the first two minutes, speed slows down. That’s why he knocks people out in the first round. He has incredible speed and its overwhelming and I don’t think people have time to adjust for it.” Mir finished by saying “I know that the first round is more important than any other round in this fight”.

My Take

Frank Mir has to get this fight to the ground or against the cage early on and wear down Dos Santos to attempt to nullify the champion’s superior speed when the fight is taking place on the feet. If Dos Santos is able to avoid what should be constant takedown attempts by the challenger, Mir’s improved striking won’t be enough to overcome the champions fast and powerful attack.

I do think that this fight will hit the matt at some point but I expect Dos Santos to be good enough on the ground to survive Mir’s submission arsenal. I am predicting a very exciting but short fight on Saturday.

Mir has shown that he is not the best at taking punches against the likes of Shane Carwin and Antonio Nogueira and I expect the power of Dos Santos to be too much for him to overcome. Dos Santos by 1^st round KO/TKO

Richard Hunter interviews Frank Mir

You can follow me on twitter @mmamiked

You can follow Richard Hunter @RichardHunter and Anthony Njokuani @anthonynjoku

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On The Road: Assassination City

Ryan Crowe — Thu, 24 May 2012 22:11:23 +0000

DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) – This is not your grandma’ roller derby. For dozens of North Texas women, it’s a recipe that’s one part speed, one part toughness, and a whole lot of attitude. CBS 11 Sports Photojournalist Bret Kelly introduces the women of Assassination City Roller Derby.

Deep Ellum Brewing Company Boldly Educates With Quality Beer

mgoodman — Thu, 24 May 2012 22:05:33 +0000

Deep Ellum Brewery’s 8-ounce glass promotes its Rye Pilsner. (Credit: Kent Chapline/CBSDFW.com)

DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) – It’s noon on a sunbaked Saturday along a semi-secluded industrial block of south Deep Ellum and a couple dozen people are comfortably sipping from 8-ounce glasses. They’re in a time warp of a beer garden –– it’s quite easy to forget that it’s flanked by warehouses and parking lots.

A band offers up Willie Nelson covers from a modest stage tucked in the corner while folks amble to food trucks that abut the fence. And, of course, there’s those frequent reprieves to the interior of the attached 3,000-squarefoot brewery –– it’s why they’re here, after all.

For the past eight Saturdays, Deep Ellum Brewing Company has opened its doors to the public for a tour. Four weeks ago, the nascent microbrewery tapped its first full-season brew, the Farmhouse Wit, a light wheat-styled beer that’s brewed without any wheat whatsoever.

The beer garden at the Deep Ellum Brewing Company. (Credit: Kent Chapline/CBSDFW.com)

But more on that later –– Tait Lifto is cutting through the crowd donning a Deep Ellum shirt and hat, a toothy smile spread across his face. He’s come to proselytize.

“I just want people to try the beer,” he said. “It’s all about the beer. That’s what we live and breathe.”

Lifto is Deep Ellum’s ‘Sales and Brand Ninja,’ so, in other words, one of his duties is to be overwhelmingly excited about the product he cares so deeply for. Tough job, he assures me.

The 37-year-old joined the force in January, two months after the microbrewery formally launched at the Common Table in Uptown –– which may be the only thing Lifto promotes as enthusiastically as his employer’s beer.

Tait Lifto, Sales and Brand Ninja of the Deep Ellum Brewing Company. (Credit: Kent Chapline/CBSDFW.com)

At that time, Deep Ellum was Dallas’s only microbrewery. Franconia hovers to the north, in McKinney, and Rahr is situated due west in Fort Worth. But Dallas-proper, the state’s third most populous city, had nothing to call its own.

“Dallas has needed this for so long,” Lifto says. “There’s, what, six million people in DFW? It’s ridiculous. You go down to Austin and there’s, like, 30 (microbreweries).”

Lifto and his colleagues are quite aware that they’re carrying the torch, so to speak. In the six months of its existence, Deep Ellum Brewing Company has released nine different beers. The Deep Ellum IPA –– by far their most popular –– Rye Pils and Double Brown Stout will be year round. The rest are varying degrees of seasonal.

Their 10^th, a Barley Wine, is aging in rye whiskey barrels and will flow in January 2013.

Barley Wine ages inside rye whiskey barrels at the Deep Ellum Brewing Company. These will age until Jan. 1, 2013. (Credit: Kent Chapline/CBSDFW.com)

Deep Ellum’s bold brews are poured in 116 different bars and restaurants in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, Lifto says.

Just 10 Dallas locations offered the brewery a tap when it launched.

“We’re mindful of how sometimes you can’t grow too fast, but our big deal is to make a splash and get out there in front of people and say, look, we’re here, we’re making beer … and be unapologetic about it,” Lifto said.

Since Deep Ellum opened last November, another three have, at the very least, announced plans to brew.

Peticolas Brewing Company is operational and calls the Design District home; Lakewood Brewing Company, in Garland, will formally open sometime this summer; and Four Corners Brewing Co. vows to roll out its beers on Labor Day.

Deep Ellum Brewing Company’s draft taps are made in Grand Prairie. (Credit: Kent Chapline/CBSDFW.com)

It’s easy to live in this beer bubble –– the growth is certainly a good sign for craft beer fans. But, according to the U.S. Brewers Association, just 13 percent of the volume of beers consumed in America came from craft breweries in 2011.

However, that’s up from 12 percent the year before that.

“The reality is craft beer in Texas lags behind the rest of the country. Five percent of sales in Texas is craft beer,” Lifto says, his numbers backed up by the Brewer’s Association. “Overall regular domestic beer sales are down two percent from last year, but four or five percent of all of the picture is a hell of a lot less.”

And that is why Lifto proselytizes.

Of beer and Dallas

But Lifto came on following years of planning, paperwork and patience.

Deep Ellum’s brewer’s permit –– submitted to the state in April 2011 and approved at the end of the summer, public records show –– has three names attached to it: Scott Frieling, James Piel and John Reardon.

That wasn’t always the case.

Reardon, 32, is a longtime home brewer and former Dallas club owner. And, like many beer lovers with the dedication to brew his own, he had a far-out dream to open a brewery.

After “a bit of research and a bit of planning,” Reardon pounced and began filing paperwork.

Deep Ellum Brewing Company’s owner, John Reardon. (Credit: Kent Chapline/CBSDFW.com)

“Little did I know there was another group of guys doing the same thing in Deep Ellum,” Reardon says. “In fact, I filed for a trademark on Deep Ellum Brewing Company two days before they filed Deep Ellum Brewing Company, LLC. with the state. Let’s just say some not-so-friendly letters went back and forth.”

That other group of guys was Piel and Frieling. Eventually, the three agreed to meet up, fittingly, for a beer.

“After a couple meetings, it was like, ‘why not do this together?’,” Reardon remembers.

And so they did. In October of 2010, the city of Dallas classified the brewery as a “light industrial” operation. This freed up the choices Reardon, Piel and Frieling had in selecting a location for their brewery.

Shortly after this declaration, Reardon teased in the comment section of a Pegasus News article that they’d settled on somewhere in South Deep Ellum.

“While we agree that it does not make much sense to locate ourselves in the thick of things, we still wish to be close enough to weave our way into the future framework of Deep Ellum,” Reardon wrote.

Location of the Deep Ellum Brewing Company. (Credit: Kent Chapline/CBSDFW.com)

The brewery’s future home would be 2821 Saint Louis Street, a small offshoot block of Malcolm X that’s visible from the mid-air split of Interstate 30 and U.S. 75 in southern Deep Ellum, just as Reardon teased.

Piel and Frieling, both trial attorneys, aren’t actually considered employees. Reardon runs the daily operations while his partners act as, well, partners.

“They help when they can, but they’re not involved in the day-to-day,” Reardon said. “They’d love to be, but they can’t support that just yet.”

In January, Drew Huerter moved from St. Louis to Dallas to serve as Deep Ellum’s brew master. The 28-year-old previously brewed at the now-defunct Mattingly Brewery, a 1.5-barrel brew house that had Huerter coming up with a new beer each Wednesday.

“I really hate the name, but it was Peak-A-Brew Wednesday,” he said, “Lame name, cool concept.”

After two years there and 75 different brews, Huerter moved to Schlafly, a much larger 45,000-barrel brew house that, according to the Brewers Association, was the 39^th largest craft brewery in the country in 2011.

The Deep Ellum Brewing Company. (Credit: Kent Chapline/CBSDFW.com)

Deep Ellum, Huerter says, gives him the freedom he had at the tiny nano brewery with a yield and drive similar to Schlafly.

“This is the best of both worlds; I get the freedom I got at that place but with the resources of the Schlafly brewery,” Huerter said. “It’s nice.”

While attempting to achieve “total beer domination” –– Reardon’s words –– Huerter’s been let loose.

For proof, look at that aforementioned Farmhouse Wit –– it’s brewed with triticale, a hybrid of wheat and rye. That’s rare, Huerter says. The only other brewery he can recall experimenting with it is the unapologetically bold Escondido, Calif.-based Stone Brewery –– a name that Lifto hopes Deep Ellum will be whispered alongside.

“I think we’re going to make a huge impact,” Lifto says. “I think we’ll get national recognition and be on the same playing field of the craft beer community across the nation as Dogfish, as Russian River.”

Deep Ellum Brewing Company’s branding, done by Caliber Creative –– another Deep Ellum business. (Credit: Kent Chapline/CBSDFW.com)

These are bold statements, but so was co-opting the name of what is arguably Dallas’s most recognizable neighborhood. This is something they’re mindful of.

“Us coming in an area that’s already so well defined in terms of its own brand and for us to pick up that name? We had to kind of embody what we already are,” Reardon says.

Then he continues with a rapid-fire history lesson of Deep Ellum, his voice and cadence increasing by the word: “From the turn of the century to jazz to the demise back in the 50s and 60s; with the birth of the freeways and the, sort of, hipsters in the 80s, even like the skinheads and the punks and all that shit and the fallout in the 90s; we love every bit of that, we don’t shy away from that, but we want to be the next chapter, but still … with remembrance of it all.”

Before the DART Green Line zipped travelers into Deep Ellum, there was the Good Latimer tunnel –– a 70-plus-year-old historic structure covered with city-approved graffiti. For many, it was the gateway to the entertainment district; the murals and graffiti that lived along its walls are forever matched with the memories that formed on the other side of the tunnel.

A mural of all the pieces from the Good Latimer tunnel, which was demolished in 2006. (Credit: Kent Chapline/CBSDFW.com)

“I remember going to Deep Ellum in the nineties and having some fun partying down there and going into the tunnel,” Lifto says. “I remember seeing Nine Inch Nails in ’94, ’95 at the Bomb Factory. That was something else, man.”

Even when recalling that memory nearly two decades later, Lifto walks through the tunnel before he gets to it.

While it was demolished in 2006, it’s immortalized in Deep Ellum’s slick tasting room. It’s a mural consisting of high-resolution photographs taken by area photographer Sean Fitzgerald before the destruction. It’s all there: The chubby tiger, the cartoonish DJ, the Elvis Pez dispenser, the defecating Pegasus.

Just as the Deep Ellum crew hopes to educate the public about quality beer, Lifto and Reardon both say they aim to give their city the spotlight, too.

“The Deep Ellum name has a lot of history behind it,” Lifto says. “It kind of, just, hits something in people’s souls when they think about Deep Ellum.”

A closer view of the mural at the Deep Ellum Brewing Company. (Credit: Kent Chapline/CBSDFW.com)

The Foote Files: Memorial Day

KTVTPhil — Thu, 24 May 2012 18:00:31 +0000

We are coming up on the Memorial Day weekend in a couple of days. Now many people today think of it as just a long weekend to get away from work. But for others, like myself, it is a time to remember those men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice for this great country of ours so that we can enjoy the American way of life that we have treasured for over 200 years.

Radio and TV have played major roles in covering wars and the human sacrifice that comes with it. World War II was the first war covered by radio. In 1938, CBS started an extended radio newscast called the CBS World News Roundup as a response to increased tensions in Europe. If you listened to CBS Radio back then, you heard correspondents like Edward R. Murrow, Robert Trout, Winston Burdett, Eric Severeid, and John Daly covering the events in Europe. CBS Chairman and Founder William S. Paley was a colonel in the Army on General Dwight D. Eisenhower’s staff in the SHEAF command, which was responsible for the psychological warfare efforts of the Allies. As a side note, Paley remained close friends with Eisenhower.

By the time the Korean War started in 1950, radio still was the predominant electronic medium that covered it but TV was beginning to get involved. But Vietnam was the first war Americans saw on their TV sets night after night. CBS News had a fabulous team of correspondents that covered Vietnam for the network: Walter Cronkite, Dan Rather, Charles Collingwood, Ed Bradley, Mike Wallace, Morley Safer, and many others. Back in that day, all war coverage footage was shot on film because satellite transmission was not available. The film was then flown back to New York for processing and then aired on the evening news. So it could take up to 1-2 days to see on the spot news coverage of a very unpopular war. I remember on Fridays that Cronkite would give the statistics on those servicemen and women who died during the week, those injured, and those missing in action, as well as the same for the North Vietnamese and Viet Cong.

By 1968, 500,000 troops were in Vietnam. If you had signed up under Selective Service and received your draft card, you were very interested in knowing what might happen to you. The country had a draft for young men then and I remember all the networks televising the draft live. It was done on a lottery system whereby a date was matched randomly with a number. In 1972, I turned 18 years of age and had a Class 1-A designation on my draft card. My number in the 1972 draft was 48! However, President Nixon was not having the military draft for Vietnam by then because we were pulling troops out. But if you were a young man back then, you probably tuned in to the draft on live network television.

Today, with technology the way it is, war coverage is provided live on the spot anywhere on the face of the Earth, provided that there is a uplink to a satellite to get a signal out.

Radio and TV have also done a magnificent job in covering Memorial Day events to remind us all of the extraordinary sacrifice that our fine men and women in uniform have made for us over the years. We shall never forget those who gave their lives so we could live.

Have a great weekend. See you next time.

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105.3 The Fan Now Unofficially Officially The Best-Looking Radio Station In America

jeffburkett — Thu, 24 May 2012 18:00:03 +0000

Ratings? Efforting.

Revenue? Climbing.

Bananas? Done.

And now that I think of it, Chris Arnold ain’t bad either.

Jasmine Sadry

Already sporting Jasmine Sadry in the morning and Sybil Summers in the afternoon, 105.3 The Fan has further cemented its claim as Dallas-Fort Worth’s best-looking sports-talk radio station by hiring experienced voice Jane Slater to team with Mark Elfenbein in its midday time slot. Slater, now the blonde bombshell banana in The Fan’s brunette sandwich, begins her new co-hosting gig June 4.

With the departure of long-time Fan voice Arnie Spanier, nights are also being tweaked on The Fan with the addition of familiar face Chris Arnold. The long-time K104 host and forever emcee of Dallas Mavericks home games at American Airlines Center will join Gavin Dawson for an expanded show 7-Midnight.

Sybil Summers

“Jane and Chris are both extremely talented and I sincerely believe their characteristics, personalities and unique perspectives will further The Fan’s objective to be the voice of the many diverse sports fans in North Texas,” says Bruce Gilbert, Vice President of CBS Radio in Dallas. “Additionally, they will be outstanding teammates.”

Slater, who joins The Fan from sister station 1080 AM KRLD, has experience as a TV anchor and in radio via news, sideline reporting, sports and traffic. She is a native Texan, having grown up in Rowlett and graduating from the University of Texas. She joins Elfenbein full-time after The Fan’s a three-month search in the wake of Josh Lewin’s departure to be the radio play-by-play voice of the New York Mets in February.

Jane Slater

I’m pretty sure the new lineup will sound better. And, speaking for the entire Fan crew, I know I can’t wait for the first group photo shoot.

The Fan Lineup – June 4

5:30-10 a.m. – New School with Shan Shariff, R.J. Choppy and Jasmine Sadry

10 a.m.-2 p.m. – Elf and Slater with Mark Elfenbein and Jane Slater

2-7 p.m. – RAGE with Richie Whitt, Greg Williams and Sybil Summers

7-Midnight – G-Bag Nation with Gavin Dawson and Chris Arnold.

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RAGE Rescue Of The Week: Magic

sybil1053 — Wed, 23 May 2012 21:01:30 +0000

Magic is a Schnauzer/Fox Terrier mix. She’s a cute, scruffy girl who gives kisses and snuggles. Plus, she loves to play! Magic is already housebroken, spayed, and up-to-date on her shots. She gets along with other dogs and even cats! She’ll make you and your kids happy! To find out more on how you can adopt Magic, please click here.

DFW Rescue Me’s Adoption Event:

5/26 10a-2p- The Howl at Hillside – Hillside Village Shopping Center(Map)

Cowboys’ Hijinks

jeffburkett — Wed, 23 May 2012 15:31:37 +0000

DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) – The missive hit the Twitterverse around 8 o’clock Tuesday night.

@mikejenk21: Just got TRADED to the @RAIDERS BLACK HOLE BABY!!!!

Mike Jenkins, of course, is a disgruntled Dallas Cowboys’ cornerback so it must be true. His Twitter had 17,000 followers, so it must be his. Made a lot of sense.

Except that in this chapter of the Cowboys’ cornerback carousel, nothing adds up.

Jenkins has no leverage. Jenkins has no starting job. Jenkins – at least @mikejenk21 – has no Twitter account. Jenkins has not been traded to Oakland. For now he’s staying in Dallas, where, once training camp arrives, he’ll fight for playing time. The tweet from a fake account temporarily fooled a lot of folks. But Jenkins’ ploy to stay away from the Cowboys’ organized team activities is tricking no one.

Jenkins has his widdle feewings hurt.

You know what? Tough shit.

Jenkins has been the Cowboys’ best cornerback the last three seasons. Which is like saying Game 1 of the Mavericks-Thunder playoff loss was Dallas’ least nauseating. Ugly and unsuccessful, nonetheless.

The last two years the Cowboys have been chauffeured into mediocrity by a couple of the worst pass defenses in the history of this proud franchise. Since 2010 opposing quarterbacks have thrown for almost 8,000 yards and a whopping 57 touchdowns (the Baltimore Ravens have permitted just 33). In the two games that decided last year’s NFC East champion New York Giants’ quarterback Eli Manning threw for almost 800 yards. And in the last two seasons the Cowboys have had 1,085 passes thrown their way. Jenkins has intercepted exactly two of them.

For his role in the sorry secondary shenanigans, Dave Campo lost his job. Veteran cornerback Terence Newman lost his job. Safety Abe Elam lost his job. Alan Ball lost his job. And Jenkins … thinks he deserves a raise?

To his credit, Jenkins played hurt and played okay last season. Defensive coordinator Rob Ryan has called him a “warrior” and a “super talented player.” Jenkins underwent shoulder surgery in January and has been rehabbing at his home in Florida this off-season.

Fair enough. But this week his butt should be at Valley Ranch where the 2012 Cowboys convene on the field together for the first time.

Said head coach Jason Garrett, “I’d like to see him here. I hope he’s here.”

But Jenkins isn’t here. And likely won’t be a part of the Cowboys until training camp opens in Oxnard, California in late July.

Why? Pride. Protest. Pouting.

In an attempt to overhaul and improve their porous pass defense, the Cowboys signed Brandon Carr in free agency. They then moved up in last month’s draft to select LSU cornerback Morris Claiborne. Presto, Jenkins is No. 3 on the depth chart. Which should be motivation, right? But when you have an over-inflated opinion of the man in the mirror, it leads only to a bruised ego.

Jenkins, 6-foot and 200 pounds, is in the prime of his NFL career. Drafted 25^th overall in ’08, he’s a 27-year-old veteran with speed and agility, if not superior ball skills. He became a starter in Dallas when Pacman Jones got hurt and Anthony Henry was traded. He has eight career interceptions, five coming in ’09. He went to the Pro Bowl that season, but only as a replacement when the Minnesota Vikings’ Antoine Winfield couldn’t play due to an injury.

Jenkins is good, not great.

But he has horrible leverage.

In skipping OTAs and desiring a trade, I’m not sure what he’s trying to accomplish. Greg Ellis bitched and moaned, but he showed up. Same for the Texas Rangers’ Michael Young.

Jenkins is in the final year of his rookie contract, paying him $1 million. What should he do? Get to Dallas, beat out Carr or Claiborne and display to the Cowboys or other NFL teams that he has value and is deserving of a big contract. By sitting out he’s merely diminishing his trade value.

The Cowboys have no incentive to trade him anyway. Asante Samuel only prompted a 7^th-round pick before the draft. If the Cowboys tried to trade Jenkins today they’d be lucky to get a 6^th. If they wait and Jenkins walks in free agency, they’re likely to get as high as a 3^rd-rounder as a compensatory pick.

Carr will make $10 million this year. Claiborne cost the Cowboys a 2nd-round draft pick. Owner Jerry Jones even invested heavily in corner Orlando Scandrick last year during the preseason.

As for Jenkins:

“We have zero intention of trading him. None,” said Jones. “He’s a vital part of our plan. I am assuring Mike that he has a very critical role in what we want to be defensively. Jenkins is not only this year, but a long-term player here as far as I’m concerned.”

So if you’re worth the money Mike Jenkins, do something you haven’t done the last two seasons:

Prove it.

Or else you really might wind up a Raider one of these days.

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Romo May Just End The Celtics Playoff Run

KTVTPhil — Wed, 23 May 2012 13:57:25 +0000

Tony Romo seen wearing a Boston Celtics tank top. (credit: @PaigeGreco via Twitter)

DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) - Poor Tony Romo. The guy can’t wear a ball cap backwards, play a round of golf or tan on the beaches of Cabo without someone taking to a message board to criticize him. Now, he’s being blamed for possibly, single-handedly ruining the chances for the Boston Celtics in Game 6 on Wednesday, when they take on the Philadelphia 76ers.

Why?

Romo was spotted by a girl (@PaigeGreco on Twitter) at a rec center playing hoops in… a Celtics tank top! Sweet little Paige decided to tweet out a picture of herself with Romo, with said tank top. Now, the people of Boston are freaking out that the “Romo Curse” will be placed on their beloved Celtics since he’s donning their logo.

Via BustedCoverage.com on Tuesday night, via @PaigeGreco: “‘Hangin out with my homeboy Tony Romo last night… Yes I know I look gross.’ Blah, blah, blah. Let’s focus on those seven letters across Romo’s rec league jersey. Isn’t a bigger kiss of death to an NBA franchise still in the playoffs like this guy wearing your name. We’re talking one NFL playoff victory. Don’t say we didn’t warn Boston fans when something goes wrong in Game 6 & 7.”

I have a feeling that, somewhere in Tennessee, former Seattle Seahawks player (turned Titan) Jordan Babineaux is watching footage of the 2007 Seattle/Dallas NFC wild card playoff game and smiling.

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Hot Days To Close Out The Month For DFW

KTVTPhil — Wed, 23 May 2012 13:30:38 +0000

FORT WORTH (CBSDFW.COM) - A hot pattern of days in the 90s will finish off the month of May for North Texas. We hit 92 degrees in DFW on Tuesday. The warmest day so far this year has been 93 degrees, back on May 4. Last year, we reached 91 degrees on May 24 and stayed over that mark until September 5.

There is no Air Pollution Watch on Wednesday. North Texas is going to be too windy to meet the criteria. But there is a Wind Advisory is in effect to the northwest, including Wichita Falls and western Oklahoma. Winds are expected to gust above 40 mph and temperatures could reach 99 degrees. The DFW area will be windy, but should fall shy of meeting advisory criteria with winds gusting 30 to 35 mph.

These winds should stay on through the overnight hours too, heading into Thursday. Skies overnight will remain clear and temperatures should stay mild. In fact, the next three days will get very windy thanks to two strong low pressure systems that will develop in Colorado, then push out into the Northern Plains. The first will reach full strength on Wednesday night and bring about 20 to 30 mph winds through Thursday. The second low will develop on Friday to keep the winds in that 20 to 30 mph bracket.

Temperatures should drop back a bit over the weekend — between 91 and 92 degrees — because of increased humidity and morning clouds on both Saturday and Sunday. The upper level ridge bringing our intense heat will push east and open up the door for moisture from the Gulf. This means that the winds will shift to the south/southeast and will be vertically stacked from the surface up through 18,000 feet. This pattern brings higher humidity and usually brings morning clouds that dissipate by the afternoon.

The ridge is expected to stay intact for Monday and Tuesday, but break down a bit for Wednesday and Thursday, allowing an upper level northwest flow to take over. This should help dry out the air and ease the heat somewhat, but continue with high temperatures in the 90s, with little chances for rain.

We are running 2.70 inches below normal for precipitation for the month of May. In terms of drought conditions, we are not considered abnormally dry yet. Our spring total since March 1 is 0.72 inches above normal, with the yearly amount running 3.99 inches above normal.

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Actress Returns To Dallas For “Memphis”

KTVTPhil — Wed, 23 May 2012 13:00:13 +0000

DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) - She has had a dream of singing, dancing and acting on stage ever since she was a tiny girl. Sixth generation Texan Julie Johnson remembers sitting inside the massive Music Hall at Fair Park when she was just 3 years old. Carol Burnett was starring on stage in “Calamity Jane” and Julie said that she recalls thinking, “That’s what I want to do someday.”

Flash forward to current day and Julie is doing just that! The talented actor has appeared in many productions in North Texas, New York City and around the country, but this month her childhood dream came true as she took to the stage to star in the Dallas Summer Musical’s current show “Memphis,” currently at the Music Hall.

She told me that she actually teared up in the cast’s first rehearsal. They were confused as to why she seemed sad, but she said that they were tears of joy when she remembered that little girl sitting mesmerized in the big theater so many years ago. And now she was front and center on the big stage that had inspired her. Dreams do come true!

Johnson is also well-known and loved for her famous voice work! She is the sweet, girly voice of Baby Bop — the little green dinosaur on the popular “Barney” TV series. The show spawned such teen stars as native Texans Selena Gomez and Demi Lovato, and Julie said that he is very proud of her work on the long-running series that has entertained millions of children around the world for over a decade.

“Memphis” continues at the Music Hall at Fair Park through Sunday, May 27.

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Rangers Fans, Do The Dodgers Look Familiar?

Ryan Crowe — Wed, 23 May 2012 02:52:17 +0000

LOS ANGELES, CA – MAY 19: Winning pitcher Clayton Kershaw #22 is congratulated by teammates Andre Ethier #16, Adam Kennedy #3, Elian Herrera #37 and James Loney #7 after Kershaw threw a complete game shutout against the St. Louis Cardinals at Dodger Stadium on May 19, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers won 6-0. (Photo by Jeff Golden/Getty Images)

As I sit here watching the renewed Los Angeles Dodgers take on the Arizona Diamondbacks, something looks very familiar. The team, the energy, the enthusiasm — this team is strikingly similar to one that North Texans fell in love with back in 2010.

Not much was expected of the Rangers of two seasons ago. The 2008 and 2009 Rangers were disappointing ball clubs. They finished in second, but in the case of the 2008 team, they might has well finished in last place. They were 21 games behind the first place Angels.

The same could be said for the 2010 and 2011 editions of the LA Dodgers. Both of those clubs struggled to finish above .500 and neither brought any excitement to their devoted fans.

The things that changed for the Rangers in 2010 are exactly the same things that are changing for the 2012 Dodgers. The Dodgers have settled a long, grueling ownership battle much like the Rangers did two years ago. The Dodgers were purchased by an investment group featuring a hometown hero. Sound familiar? In LA, the name on the team belongs to Magic Johnson. In Texas, it’s Nolan Ryan.

The Dodgers are getting strong starting pitching from a great left-handed pitcher by the name of Clayton Kershaw. His pitching mastery from the south-paw side could be compared to that of Cliff Lee — on a good day. And they are getting timely hitting, especially from an outfielder who swings a strong bat. Matt Kemp is to the Dodgers this season, what Josh Hamilton was to the Rangers that season. If I had to guess, I’d say that Matt Kemp will be named the MVP of the National League this year.

It will be interesting to see if these similarities hold true through the rest of the season. If so, we could be seeing the Dodgers play on into October. Wouldn’t that be an intriguing matchup? The Dodgers and Rangers in the World Series. Ron Washington of today, esentially managing against the 2010 version of Ron Washington. I wonder what decision Wash might make then, in the face of himself two seasons ago.

On The Road: Cowboy Boot Skates

Ryan Crowe — Tue, 22 May 2012 21:42:27 +0000

In the Lone Star state you can find folks wearing cowboy boot for everything from bull riding to black tie affairs. Today I went On the Road to Walnut Springs, Texas to meet John Wayne Feddersen, Jr., a man who loves his boots so much he’s taking them from strolling… to rolling.

When Feddersen was a boy, he loved to go roller skating and went so often that he wore out his roller skates. When his mom told him they couldn’t afford new skates, and he would have to wear the rentals from the skating rink, he could bear the thought of it so he came up with an idea. “I took a hack saw and cut the top off of my old skates and went in my room and took my new boot and made my own” Feddersen said, “I drilled hole plum through the top of my new boots.” And the first pair of cowboy boot skates was born.

What did his mom say about his invention? “Oh she got the switch after me, that’s when you got a switch, and whooped me good,” he laughs, “and then I got grounded from the skating rink. But after the grounding was over and I got to go skating in them, it worked out great and I’ve been skating in them ever since.”

Through the years he has made several pair for friends and family. Each time he figured out how to better attach the skates without drilling through the boot. Now Wayne’s Western Wheels is selling boot skates for everyone from little cowboy and cowgirls to adults that want a comfortable skate that has attitude. “You can see that from wherever you are in the skating rink, it draws your attention”

He makes can makes skates out of any boot and has several that he sells, from a pink girls boot to his favorite John Deere boot skates. He currently has a few skate shop around the country that sell his boots but most of his orders come on his website wayneswesternwheels.com.

So for the guy or girl who never wears anything but boots, now they can look stylish as they roll around the skating rink.

Sandie’s Arts Blog: Memorial Day Weekend

Ryan Crowe — Tue, 22 May 2012 21:07:08 +0000

It’s a very important holiday weekend so bring out your best patriotic pride and enjoy all that North Texas has to offer this Memorial Day!

First up – the AT&T Performing Arts Center Presents Local Motion beginning this Saturday at 9:00a. Join the fit and the wanting to be fit every Saturday from this weekend through June 9th for Local Motion, a FREE outdoor fitness series including Yoga, Zumba and Boot Camps. Join the fitness craze and relax with Yoga, come dance with the licensed Zumba instructor or combine traditional exercise and core functional conditioning with the tailored Boot Camps. Just remember to bring drinking water to hydrate!

The Dallas Zoo officially kicks off summer with a family fun event filled with animals, entertainment, and dining options. For music lovers and animal enthusiasts alike, the event, produced in partnership with Kessler Entertainment Group, features Dallas’ own A Hard Night’s Day band. So bring out the whole family for Dallas Zoo Summer Family Fun Kick-Off Friday from 6:00p to 9:00p

Check out Three Dog Night Sunday at 9:00p at Billy Bob’s in Ft Worth. The popular band scored a succession of 21 hit singles, including eleven Top Tens, and twelve consecutive gold albums from 1969 to 1975, thanks to the slick, sometimes soulful vocal harmonies of singers.

God of Carnage has opened at the Kalita Humphries Theater in Dallas. The play has 2 couples meeting to discuss their 11 year old children’s violent incident. It all starts out sweetly and then real emotions come to the surface. It’s fast paced and acted out in real time – suitable for teens and older. The Dallas Theater Center’s production of the Tony award winning drama has received rave reviews and continues through June 17th.

Lastly – make sure you celebrate and check out all the various community parades, events and concerts happening on Monday celebrating Memorial Day. One popular event is the Memorial Day Concert & Fireworks Display at Flagpole Hill Monday at 8p – in the case of inclement weather the concert will be moved to the Meyerson in Dallas.

Enjoy the holiday weekend…see you next week – center stage!

Mid-To-Low 90s For North Texas!

lrmowry — Tue, 22 May 2012 20:20:45 +0000

NO BREAK IN THE HEAT…

Temperatures will top out in the low to even mid 90s each of the next 7 days! The only small chance of rain will come this evening. But even that chance is less than 10%.

WINDY WEATHER RETURNS TOMORROW…

An area of low pressure that is developing in the northern Plains will continue to strengthen overnight. This low will increase the pressure gradient across North Texas which means the winds will be increasing. It will be windy not only tomorrow but also Thursday thru the weekend. Here is a look at where that low is developing this afternoon with temperatures from 3pm.

Below is the weather timeline for tomorrow and you can see how the winds start to ramp up as we go into the afternoon with south winds 20 to 30 mph.

HOT WEATHER FORECAST…

Tonight… Partly cloudy. Very isolated showers and thunderstorms. Rain chance less than 10%. Low of 69. S 5-10 mph

Tomorrow… Mostly sunny, windy and hot. High of 92. S 20-30 mph

Thursday… Mostly sunny, windy and hot. Low of 72. High of 95. S 20-30 mph

Friday… Mostly sunny, windy and hot. Low of 73. High of 94. S 15-25 mph

Saturday… Mostly sunny and hot. Low of 73. High of 92. S 15-25 mph

Sunday… Mostly sunny and hot. Low of 73. High of 91. S 10-20 mph

Memorial Day… Mostly sunny. Low of 72. High of 92. S 10-20 mph

A Rare Medium Well Done: 5.22.12

jeffburkett — Tue, 22 May 2012 14:00:04 +0000

Editor’s note: Greggo doesn’t want us to edit this. So we won’t.

With apologies to glenn quagmire…Nolan says no contract for josh till after season..this is very dangerous poker..says #32 can test free agent market..all it takes is one braindead owner to control the vault..what if new magic-led dodgers decide he’s a $25 million dollar dude..that’s what the ante will be…huge gamble..five tool guys don’t grow on trees..especially on I-30…how do ceiling fans get so damn dusty when they’re spinning…”i’ll have another” comes from the pack to run down “bodemeister” again..only 2 years old..this colt seems destined to claim triple crown..with 2 jewels under his saddle..only the mighty belmont stands in way..don’t bet against this equine…lake season is upon us..if you ride in a boat..wear a life jacket..i don’t care how cool you think you are..put it on..you’ll thank me later…so..the new madden game will feature “tebowing”..what’s next..I dunno..maybe have him complete a pass…I love colorado..I love everything about it..even the leftist liberals don’t bother me…sign of the end of times..big 12 and sec sign pact for new bowl game..not only are we getting closer to playoff..this is another clue on the demise and disintegration of ncaa..the big-moneyed conferences don’t need it and it’s crazy unenforceable rules…if i’m on deserted island and allowed only 3 cds..don’t know what the other 2 are..but one is definitely rolling stones “let it bleed”…the spurs are a horribly boring team..but they can flat out win..maybe another title…I know he’s a blue-blood ny yankee..but I love derek jeter..all he does is win…just saw a study that says only 4.3 % of major league baseballers have a college degree..doesn’t surprise me..some of the biggest lugheads i’ve ever known were pro baseball players…speaking of idiots..the noose is getting tighter on rog clemens..that rat macname says he also injected petitte and chuck knoblach with roids..yet rajah says not him..might be time for him to head to appomattox and cut deal…not good news for rangers..feliz goes on dl with elbow issue..uh oh..injuries are only opponent that can beat the arlington nine this year…

note….i’m gonna be out of commission for awhile on RAGE…nope…not what you think…no dope or rehab..my lap-band surgery from a few years ago went haywire…gotta get it straightened out…but i will be back…in the meantime…don’t be mean…mean sucks…

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Cowboys Cheerleader Training Camp Set To Begin

ktvtdeborah — Mon, 21 May 2012 21:07:13 +0000

(credit: CBSDFW.COM)

DALLAS (CBS 11 NEWS) – They have been America’s Sweethearts since 1972, when they first graced the field at Texas Stadium. Now the iconic cheerleading squad has picked their 2012 candidates to attend training camp. For the next month and a half candidates will compete to win a coveted spot on the official Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader roster!

Two weeks ago, hundreds turned out for the first day of the 3-day audition process. In all, 79 finalists, representing five countries and 19 states, were whittled down. This past weekend they took to the Cowboys Stadium field, to dance, kick and shake their poms.

Fourteen judges (I was honored to be a judge once again – this my 10th year!) deliberated long and hard, as competition was especially tough this year. There were 25 veterans returning to try out, along with the super talented newbies.

In the end – a great group of 45 were chosen and thrilled to start the training camp process.

For the past seven years, as a part of their top rated reality show Making the Team, CMT has been on board filming the entire audition process. Each year the show consisted of just eight episodes but this year – due to popular demand – they will film 13 weeks of segments.

Apparently, producers know the world watches not only America’s Team but the Sweethearts as well!

Also making Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders news this week – Men in Black 3 opens and the stars, Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones, invited all the top American cities to donate an item, representing their state, to be placed in a time capsule that will be sent to Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

CBS 11 decided DCC poms would be a perfect choice, so three of the cheerleaders donated poms and they were sent to Hollywood for official placement inside the time capsule. Both stars of the movie loved the bright and shiny poms, but Will Smith did mention it was hard to hold them as he is a proud native Philadelphian and his Eagle Pride hurt just a little with all that silver and blue!

Movie executives promise the capsule will not be opened for 43 years!

The new 2012 DCC squad will debut on the field in August at the first pre-season home game and Men in Black 3 opens this week citywide.

It’s all a win/win in my book!

More Hot Weather For North Texas

lrmowry — Mon, 21 May 2012 20:44:29 +0000

HOT WEEK AHEAD…

This last full week of May will feature above average temperatures with increasing winds by mid-week. As for rain chances, slim to none. And the slim chance comes this evening and tomorrow. Average high for this time of year is around 85 to 86 degrees.

THIS EVENING…
There is a weak cold front that has slid just south of DFW this afternoon. You wouldn’t know it because temperatures are still very warm. But there was a subtle wind shift with winds light out of the North here this afternoon. There is a small chance a few very isolated showers and thunderstorms could pop up this evening, but the chance is less than 20%.

TOMORROW…

This cold front will move back north as a warm front tomorrow. There is a slim chance a storm could develop along that front tomorrow, but again rain chances will be less than 20%.

WEDNESDAY THRU THE WEEKEND…

Winds will increase out of the south starting on Wednesday and it will remain breezy thru the weekend with south winds generally 15 to 25 mph each day. Temperatures will heat up too. We will see highs in the 90 to 93 degree range Wednesday thru the weekend and even on Memorial Day. No rain chances at all during this time frame.

MAY HEAT…

Despite having a nice break from the heat during the middle of the month, as it stands now this is the 12^th Warmest May on Record.

SPRING HEAT…

Meteorological Spring is defined as March, April and May. As we wrap up Meteorological Spring we currently stand as the second warmest Spring on Record. We may come close to topping that list as above average temperatures will persist thru the end of the month.

TONIGHT… Very isolated shower or storm possible. Rain chances well less than 20%. Low of 65. N 5-10 mph

TOMORROW… Mostly sunny, very isolated shower possible. Rain chance 10%. High of 90. E/SE 5-10 mph

WEDNESDAY… Mostly sunny. Hot and breezy. Low of 68. High of 92. S 15-25 mph

THURSDAY… Mostly sunny. Hot and breezy. Low of 71. High of 92. S 15-25 mph

FRIDAY… Mostly sunny. Hot and breezy. Low of 72. High of 93. S 15-20 mph

SATURDAY… Mostly sunny. Hot and breezy. Low of 72. High of 93. S 15-20 mph

SUNDAY… Mostly sunny. Hot and still breezy. Low of 72. High of 90. S 10-20 mph

MEMORIAL DAY… Mostly sunny. Hot and breezy. Low of 70. High of 91. S 10-20 mph

NASCAR All-Star Race In Charlotte, NC: My Top 10 CBS Contemplations

jeffburkett — Mon, 21 May 2012 14:55:21 +0000

The ‘big screen’ at Charlotte Motor Speedway. (Photo by Richie Whitt via twitter @RichieWhitt – CBSDFW.COM, 105.3 The Fan)

10. They tell me the video board at Charlotte Motor Speedway is bigger than JumboJerry at Cowboys Stadium. Doesn’t look it. I’m sure it’s because it’s outside in a 160,000-seat venue. But, still, just doesn’t look that big.

9. NASCAR fans are already irked by Jimmie Johnson. The titles. The fact he had the audacity to be born in California. The cheating amongst his crew. But now this. He walks away with $1 million despite deliberately not competing for 60 of Saturday night’s 90 laps.

8. The $1 million winner-take-all format was supposed to prompt all-out, aggressive driving. But this is the part of NASCAR that loses me every time. If a driver’s car simply isn’t as fast the guy ahead of him, there’s nothing he can do to be competitive. Denny Hamlin and Brad Keselowski mashed their accelerators to the floor, but Jimmie Johnson was simply faster. End of competition. Strategy plays no part of it, unlike football or basketball where defensive schemes or game plans can make up for a gap in talent.

7. Thanks to the folks at Texas Motor Speedway for – as always – doing things first class. From the transportation to the hotel to the meals and scanners and even the detailed tour of the infield, TMS does it right. And, after the race, one call from TMS forced North Carolina State Troopers to remove a barricade so our vehicle could avoid an hour-long traffic snarl. That, my friends, is power.

6. Toured Hendrick Motorsports Friday morning. Looks like a college campus. Most impressive part was the machine shop and garage. Floors were spick-and-span clean enough to eat off of. No wonder Jimmie Johnson is so dang good.

5. My solution to NASCAR’s All-Star Race dilemma: Winners of the four 20-lap races only get to start at the front of the 10-lap finale if they don’t finish last in any other of the three 20-lap races. Simple. There have been eight changes to the format since ’85. Needs to be a ninth. Sorry, but with Johnson winning early, then staying clear of trouble and then winning again late, the All-Star race is barely better than football or basketball’s exhibitions.

4. If I’m NASCAR, I rig a race to let Dale Earnhardt, Jr. win. Amazing how popular he is. I’d say 70 percent of fans Saturday were pulling for him. If you’re a restaurant owner and 70 percent of your customers are clamoring for ribs, you’d better eventually serve ribs. Right?

3. Spent Saturday night drinking in the hotel bar until 3 a.m. with Austin Petty, grandson of NASCAR king Richard Petty. Turns out he had just become engaged. Nothing like Patron shots, a bottle of wine and some Karaoke to christen a relationship … and a Sunday hangover.

2. Only in NASCAR do you find Million-dollar motorcoaches parked 10 feet from $10,000 campers, and the inhabitants of each sharing stories and beers. The mingling of classes is refreshing.

1. Of all the things I can be labeled in this life, “Sandbagger” is one I’d readily welcome. It’s not cheating. And it is, after all, a brand for winners.

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Storms Chances Finally Show Up Again

weatherjeff — Sun, 20 May 2012 22:07:18 +0000

First, don’t forget to peer out at the sunset tonight (8:25pm). The moon is going to partial block the sun just as it’s setting in the west (coverage of the sun will peak around 67% just as it is dropping below horizon). The ring eclipse will be complete as close as Lubbock where it should be a spectacular view as its sitting.

STORMS ALONG THE RED RIVER TONIGHT

Lots of storm activity has continued all day up in Oklahoma. Storms have finally developed west of Wichita Falls along the Red River. These storms are producing large hail and have trigger T’storm warnings.

These storms will continue to move east along the Red River and get into our northern counties tonight and overnight. This is all due to a weak, slow-moving cold front that comes through here tomorrow.

MONDAY STORM CHANCES

A minor upper-air disturbance moves over the front during the daytime heating. This should at least produce a 30% storm chance for us. It starts earlier in the northern tier from Montague over to Lamar counties and includes the metro area by early afternoon.

Below I’ll show you one of the forecast models, the MM5, showing decent coverage across north Texas from Noon to 5pm as the front slowly sags to the southeast.

Rain Chances Noon Tomorrow

Rain Chances 3pm

THEN BACK TO HOT AND DRY

This is the best chance of rain we’ve had in the last week. It appears at least right now it could be our best chance for the next week. We have quickly morphed into some very hot and dry weather. This weather pattern started around mid-June last summer; it ended up to be the hottest summer on record and one of the driest. Lets hope we don’t get a repeat of that.

Hot dry weather is the story the rest of the week with daytime highs around 90° every day and mostly sunny skies. Right now there seems no strong rain chances though a small one might be added to Friday with the models can be a little more consistent with it.

TROPICAL STORM ALBERTO

Here is the current position of Tropical Storm Alberto, the first named tropical storm of the hurricane season (that doesn’t official start until June 1st). It will drift southeast for another day before turning northeast and heading out away from the coast. Winds will stay around 45mph for the next couple of days. No watches are associated with the storm.

Lots Of Sunshine Until Moon Blocks It

weatherjeff — Sat, 19 May 2012 23:22:25 +0000

Severe weather along a cold front will continue well to our north in the Central plains:

Tonight we’ll have some clouds moving in form the west with a steady south wind. Storms north of the Red River try to cross into Texas and might get into Montague and Cooke counties. A nice evening again to be out at Taste Addison!

Tomorrow we’ll have a northeast wind and some morning clouds that will ebb away during the late morning. Mostly sunny skies by afternoon with the return of a south wind but it won’t be as gusty tomorrow. Highs will reach into the upper 80′s. More on the partial solar eclipse in store for us at the end of the day in a moment.

Rain chances show up on Monday. A slow moving cold front will finally make its way here and by Monday afternoon a 20% storm chance shows up. We’ll have gone eight days since the last measured rainfall at the DFW airport, we could use the rain! Unfortunately Monday only gives us a slight rain chance and the rest of the work week looks dry.

We’ll continue to have slightly-above normal highs next week with the afternoon temperature getting to around 90 degrees almost every day. It looks like dry weather again for next weekend.

Hoping that this doesn’t bode ill for the upcoming hurricane season (that doesn’t officially start until June 1st) here is the first named storm of the season, Alberto, off the coast of North Carolina. It won’t become a hurricane fortunately as it heads north into cooler water:

Near the end of the day tomorrow (sunset 8:25) the moon will pass in front of the sun and provide a partial eclipse here in north Texas (about 67% at maximum that happens just before the sun falls below horizon). Never look directly at the sun, even when a large portion of it is blocked by the moon. You can make a pinhole projector with a large box and a few supplies to few this rare event if you can’t get your hands on some #14 (or stronger) welder glasses.

This is an annular eclipse, not a total one. The moon is actually further from the earth than typical so it can’t block out the sun completely. This is what that looks like:

The path actually starts in China and extends across the Pacific into the United States. Here is the path in the U.S.:

Notice how it ends right around Lubbock before Abilene. We here in north Texas only see a partial eclipse, something more like what is in the bottom row in the image below (that is an Annular eclipse in the top row):

Point: Interleague Play Is Overrated

Ryan Crowe — Sat, 19 May 2012 04:19:57 +0000

This weekend marks the start of that dreaded time of the baseball season – Interleague Play.

It’s now in its 16th season, and I was done with it after two. This was a great gimmick when it started back in the 90s. It brought more interest and intrigue to a game that was struggling to recover from the lockout of 1994. But now, in 2012, it’s become rather pointless.

My objection to Interleague Play starts with the weight-of-schedule issue. These games, other than factoring into a team’s total win-loss record, has no real impact on the season or possibly playoff rivalries. I have tickets to see the Rangers play the Rockies in June. I have absolutely no interest in seeing that matchup. (In the interest of full disclosure, I also have tickets to see the Rangers and Diamondbacks, and being a fan of both teams, I do want to see that.) I need someone to explain to me the point behind a Rangers-Rockies matchup, or a Rangers-Padres, a Blue Jays-Marlins, a Tigers-Astros or a Mariners-Dodgers game.

I would much rather see a schedule that gives teams the chance to develop rivalries with other teams in their leagues, but not necessarily in their division. Such as, it would be great to see the Rangers play the Tigers more than just two series a season. How about a couple more matchups against the Yankees or Red Sox or Rays? These games would generate more interest and therefore more ticket revenue than a contest between the Rangers and a National League team that has little interest to North Texans.

My other objection to this leads me back to my dislike of the National League not using the designated hitter. Forcing American League teams to put their pitchers in the batter’s box a few times a year, throws off a team’s skill set. American League teams are built to use that extra bat, and they are put at a disadvantage when that bat either had to sit on the bench, play a position he is not used to or can be used only as a pinch hitter.

I do need to say that Interleague Play does work in a limited form. I am going to Houston on Saturday to see the Rangers play the Astros. I am excited to see that game. And I do want to see the Mets and Yankees, Nationals and Orioles, Dodgers and Angels and Red Sox and Phillies play every year. Those are natural rivalries, and they do need to be kept in play.

Unfortunately, Interleague Play is here to stay. It’s forced on us by the realignment coming next year. When the Astros move over to the AL West next year (which is a good move), there will now be 15 teams in each league. That means there will have to be Interleague Play all season long – from April through September. My only hope is that the schedulers will allow for a World Series rematch. Other than that, there isn’t much that can be done to boost my interest level in Interleague Play.

Also, with the realignment coming, many people are wondering if the battle for the Silver Boot will lose its luster with the Astros moving to the American League. It will lose some of the feel, but not all of it. There will always be a rivalry between the Dallas-Fort Worth area and Houston – in baseball, basketball, football and in life.

Counterpoint: Interleague Play A Win For Baseball

Ryan Crowe — Sat, 19 May 2012 04:15:16 +0000

June 12, 1997, was a day that changed regular season Major League Baseball. And the Texas Rangers and Arlington helped usher in the era known as Interleague Baseball.

Do you remember the Texas Rangers opponent? It was the San Francisco Giants. I wasn’t living in North Texas at the time. But as a big Texas Rangers fan, I wasn’t going to miss baseball history.

Interleague baseball holds intrigue for both the casual and diehard fan. American League and National League teams see each other a few more times than during spring training, the All-Star Game and the World Series.

I like to see how the National League team reacts to playing under American League rules. If the A.L. team is the home team, the N.L. team has to play with a designated hitter.
If the A.L. team is playing in the N.L. park, the designated hitter sits on the bench and the pitcher has to bat.

And that is the beauty of interleague play. Strategy comes into play during May, June and July when Interleague games are usually played.

For the A. L. team playing in the N. L. park, when do you pull the starting pitcher if your team is behind and his spot is coming up in the batting order? It’s a different type of baseball thinking and strategy that we may not be used to.

It keeps the game fresh. That’s a win for baseball. Diehard baseball fans who get used to thinking about the style of just one league, now approach the game with a different perspective.

Major League Baseball was wise to modify who the teams played to include more in-state rivalries. For example, look at the first night of the 2012 Interleague schedule. Texas versus Houston. Baltimore against Washington. Los Angeles Angels taking on San Diego. The Northside/Southside rivalry in Chicago between the Cubs and White Sox.

Natural in-state, and in some cases cross-town, rivalries are finally playing out in front of the fans. It builds up more interest in the game for the casual fan. That’s a win for baseball.

The Rangers will see the Astros a lot more starting next year when Houston moves to the A.L. West. I hope the teams agree to keep the Silver Boot series alive. It’s a nice symbol of pride that goes beyond the box score and the standings.

That means Texas will have to find a new Interleague rival. Maybe it’ll be the Colorado Rockies? Or will another team step up to capture the imagination of Rangers fans? We’ll have to wait and see.

Interleague Baseball has withstood the test of time and scrutiny of baseball purists and the casual observers. It deserves to be a part of Major League Baseball’s yearly lineup.

There’s No Business Like Show Business

Ryan Crowe — Sat, 19 May 2012 02:12:36 +0000

Remember the 1954 movie, “There’s No Business Like Show Business?” And the late Ethel Merman singing it? That’s what this week has been for the networks and they all want you to know that “there IS NO business like show business!”

The network television business in America is very competitive on all fronts: competitive in the quest to attract advertisers to spend money and competitive in the quest for viewers. When I was growing up in the 1950’s and 1960’s, there were still only the three networks and a handful of local independent stations. No internet. No social media. No DirecTV or DISH. And cable was viewed more as a means to extend local television service in areas that could not pick up over the signals real well. Today in 2012, it’s all different. Convergence of various media platforms such as computers and iPhones. Hundreds of channels, programmed almost like radio stations. And consumption of media far different than from the 1960’s.

But there is one thing that hasn’t changed….and that’s being a big tent…….like the CBS Television Network……and it’s a great way to go! And one thing as a viewer is that you can get in for free!

This past Wednesday, CBS executives formally presented the 2012-2013 primetime programming lineup in New York City. CBS is very fortunate in that its schedule had very few weak spots. Not all networks are so lucky! Of the 25 shows on the fall schedule filling 22 hours of prime time a week, CBS kept intact 21 out of 25 shows or an 84% renewal rate. 4 out of 25 shows received new time periods or 16%. And 4 out of 25 shows are new…again 16%. In a business as competitive as network television, you can’t get much more stable than that!

CBS prides itself on shows that have strong characters that Americans like and can look up to with superb writing and character development. Mark Harman of NCIS (Jethro Gibbs) is one of the most outstanding actors today and is a great example of an actor playing a character that Americans love, worship, and look up to.

The four new shows on the schedule this fall are: Partners (Mondays, 7:30pm), Vegas (Tuesdays, 9pm), Elementary (Thursdays 9pm), and Made In Jersey (Fridays 8pm). Shows that received new time periods were: 2 Broke Girls (Mondays 8pm), Two & A Half Men (Thursdays 7:30pm). CSI: New York (Fridays 7pm), and The Mentalist (Sundays 9pm).

Series that have completed their run on the network include Unforgettable, CSI: Miami, Rules Of Engagement, and A Gifted Man. But you will be able to see syndicated reruns of CSI: Miami this fall, late night Saturday and Sunday, on CBS11. Rules Of Engagement also premieres in syndication this fall on our sister station, TXA21.

Next week we will talk about the new shows that will be premiering this fall on CBS. See you next time!

Whitt’s End: 5.18.12

jeffburkett — Fri, 18 May 2012 16:07:27 +0000

Whether you’ve reached the end of your rope or merely the end of your week, welcome to Whitt’s End:

*Rangers and Astros commence their annual series for the Silver Boot tonight in Houston. One of the worst trophies in all of sports. Of course, the Iron Skillet (TCU-SMU) is also lame. Other candidates: Governor’s Cup (Cowboys-Oilers), Golden Egg (Ole Miss-Mississippi State) and, yuck, Old Brass Spittoon (Indiana-Michigan State).

*The injury to new Cowboys’ offensive lineman Mackenzy Bernadeau ain’t good. He’ll miss all of off-season and not to be ready for contact until training camp after surgery to repair a torn hip. But at least it wasn’t a pre-existing injury. That would’ve made owner/GM Jerry Jones look like a complete fool.

*Lesson learned: Don’t over-celebrate on Dwyane Wade’s home court or else he’ll … score only 5 points on 2-of-13 shooting in exacting his revenge? Gawd it’s fun to hate him. Sour grapes never tasted so sweet.

*Don’t know what you did this morning but 28-year-old Mark Zuckerberg donned a hoodie and flip-flops and earned $20 billion when Facebook’s stock went public. Just eight years he hatched his idea in a Harvard dorm room. Amazing. Facebook opened at $38 a share and it’s expected to soar. But be careful, Pandora opened at $20 is now under $11. Same for Groupon ($20 to $13). LinkedIn, however, opened at $45, reached as high as $122 and is now trading at $105.

*When getting 4+ runs of support in his pitching career, Yu Darvish is 54-0. Wow. Still, it looks weird to see him always pitching from the stretch.

*The confirmed injuries (lacerated head, broken nose) of George Zimmerman and the confirmed autopsy (marijuana in his system) of Trayvon Martin isn’t the destination of the trial, but it sure makes for a rockier road for prosecutors. Beyond a shadow of a doubt. Remember?

*HOT

*NOT

*If you’ve listened to my jabbering the last year I’ve mentioned the name Roy Hibbert. 7-foot-2. Played four years at Georgetown. Soft jump-hooks with either hand. Fantastic interior defender. After dominated the Heat with 19 points and 18 rebounds last night now you’re noticing, eh? Best thing about Hibbert – he’s a free agent this summer. Try this on: Dirk, teamed with Hibbert and Deron Williams. That’s the light at the end of the Mavs’ tunnel.

*Radio comings and goings: Arnie Spanier announcing via Facebook that he’s leaving 105.3 The Fan. Last day will be June 1. And, also, great to hear that ol’ friend Jagger will be back on the air. Starting Monday, he’s the new morning man on 102.9. Great guy and fantastic radio personality.

*Seen those kids react to biting into a Doritos Taco in those Taco Bell commercials. I’ve never – not once – made that face or gone weak in the knees for food. Eating to me is a necessary fueling, not some form of orgasmic entertainment.

*Lunched at Cool River in Las Colinas yesterday with a black friend and a restaurant manager told him “Turn your cap around.” So, a cap with the bill in front is okay but turned around backward is … what? I won’t be back. Our city/country/planet is so damn uptight.

*Got to peek in at Glenn Beck’s live internet show yesterday in Las Colinas. Very impressive. Don’t agree with much he says, but the guy will make $100 million this year. Why was I at a TV studio yesterday? Stay tuned …

*Steve Orsini out as SMU’s athletic director. He hired big-name coaches in Matt Doherty and June Jones and Larry Brown, but he also mastered the 3-month coaching search.

*In case you missed it and want to see how truly dork RAGE is, our TV commercial is right here.

*Heard this week about a 5^th-grader who showed up to “dress up” day at a Plano elementary school as Hitler, and wasn’t sent home. Developing.

*For first time in history, a baby born in U.S. is statistically likely to be non-white.

*Umpires are arrogant and, way too often, wrong. Brandon McCarthy makes a diving catch yesterday against the Rangers and the umps rule he trapped it. For a sport that so covets its sacred numbers, it sure lets those numbers be skewed and stained by consistently inaccurate umpire rulings.

*So now we’re not safe from being robbed while jogging on the Katy Trail at 6:45 a.m.? I admire the robbers’ ambition – that’s pretty early for law-breaking slackers – but their targets can’t be carrying around much of worth.

*Attention college football. You’re welcome!

*I was gonna give an update on the Roger Clemens trial, but I … zzzzzz.

*So one minute you go on a first date and a smiling, innocent 2 –year-old greets you at the door with “What’s your name?” Next thing you know that former step-son you helped raise for 10 years making varsity tennis as a sophomore and getting his driver’s license. Don’t blink, you’ll miss life.

*Remember the doom-and-gloom of $5 gas by the summer?! Don’t look now but prices have steadily fallen for six consecutive weeks. Same “experts” now saying we’ll stay around $3.75 until September. Who knows?

*If manager Ron Washington just must give Josh Hamilton a day off, should he wait to do it on the road where Rangers’ fans are cheated out of seeing their star player?

*When Mike Fisher fills in for Greggo on RAGE next week don’t freak out and start “those” rumors again. He’s having LapBand surgery. No biggie.

*This weekend? After gawking at the girls in heels at the Byron Nelson on Thursday, we’ve sneaked out to Charlotte Friday-Saturday for NASCAR’s All-Star/Hall of Fame weekend. By Sunday afternoon I’ll be back home for some relaxation in the pool. Don’t be a stranger.

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Review: “What To Expect When You’re Expecting”

jeffburkett — Fri, 18 May 2012 15:38:04 +0000

Actresses Brooklyn Decker, Elizabeth Banks, Cameron Diaz, Jennifer Lopez and Anna Kendrick arrive at the premiere of Lionsgate’s “What To Expect When You’re Expecting” held at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre on May 14, 2012 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) – “What to Expect When You’re Expecting” is loosely based on the pregnancy guide of the same name. It’s brings together several big-name stars like Cameron Diaz and Jennifer Lopez and takes them through the process of becoming a parent, but it’s the newcomers who make the difference in this film.

Brooklyn Decker plays a supporting role as the Pregnancy Unicorn, the annoyingly perfect woman who makes having twins look easy. Decker also has a starring role in the other big release this weekend “Battleship,” where she plays Taylor Kitsch’s girlfriend.

You can find local show times here or watch the trailer below, but first hear what KRLD Film Critic Julie Fisk has to say about “What to Expect When You’re Expecting. “

PLAY: Julie Fisk reviews “What To Expect When You’re Expecting”

Download: 5-18-12-fisk.mp3

TRAILER:

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Cowboys ’92, Revisited

jeffburkett — Fri, 18 May 2012 15:11:02 +0000

Recently the Dallas Cowboys’ 1992 Super Bowl winning team had a reunion for an Emmit Smith charitable fundraiser. There were most of the stars that brought America’s Team back, giving the Cowboys its first Super Bowl since 1978.

I was living in Valencia, California at the time having moved there from Texas a few years earlier. The year before the Cowboys had finished 11-5 and lost in the Divisional round against the Lions in Detroit and I remember my father saying, “next year, you watch. This team will be good.”

And next year they did.

I remember that team fondly because football was fun that year. While many don’t want to admit it, when the Cowboys are good, the nation is intrigued. Its better for the game. And the 92 team had plenty of characters to latch on to.

From the flamboyant all pro wide receiver Michael Irvin, to the hard working heart of the team Emmit Smith, to the strength and poise of quarterback Troy Aikman, this team had it all.

Then coach Jimmy Johnson was a master of recognizing talent. He could find a diamond in the middle of a barren field. He also was a master motivator. Using fear of being cut, he would push his guys until he got what he wanted out of them.

I along with everyone else that year saw a young team start to realize just how good they really were. The defense, one of the most underrated in the games history, was ranked #1 in the league and was shutting down anyone in their path.

The offense, lead by the running of Emmit Smith behind a monstrous offensive line, began mowing down opponents, leading the league in rushing.

I remember going to the Los Angeles Coliseum, something I would not recommend to anyone, to watch the Raiders take on the Cowboys and saw half the 100,000 plus at the game, dawn blue shirts and cheer for the men with the star on their helmets. The Cowboys won that game 28-13.

Their demolition of the hated 49’ers in the NFC Championship game, made everything that much sweeter. The Super Bowl against the Buffalo Bills was an afterthought.

I remember that team fondly because for the first time in my family, my dad, brother and myself, were all rooting for the same team, pulling for the same guys. I was a Bears fan for years, but the Cowboys were beloved in my house. It was the first time in my life, when MY team was actually a champion. I had never had that feeling before.

I remember watching the Super Bowl and watching my father jump up like a child and cheer when the Cowboys scored their first of many touchdowns, and the smile on his face after the game was done. He doesn’t often let people see that side of himself, but that day, who cared.

It was a fun year for the NFL. It was a fun year for the York family. And it was a year when everyone was saying, “How Bout Them Cowboys!”

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Jasmine Celebrates “Great Bratbino” With Song

jeffburkett — Fri, 18 May 2012 14:53:34 +0000

Jasmine and friend tackling the “Boomstick” at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington (Photo courtesy @JasmineSadry, 105.3 The Fan)

DALLAS (105.3 THE FAN) – The culinary geniuses at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington have unleashed another unholy creation on the hot dog loving world, and it’s all in honor of slugger Josh Hamilton.

The $26 monster dubbed “Great Bratbino” is a bratwurst creation that will come stacked with sauerkraut, but can be topped with chili, nacho cheese, grilled onions and jalapenos…anti-acids not included.

New School’s Jasmine was so excited about getting her hands on this giant meat-cicle that she composed a special song that describes her feelings of joy and hunger.

PLAY: Jasmine’s ode to the “Great Bratbino”

Download: 051812-jasmine.mp3

*Listen to New School with Shan, Choppy, Jasmine & Troy weekdays 5:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. on 105.3 The Fan.

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Preview The Ultimate Cowboys Tailgate Party

KTVTPhil — Fri, 18 May 2012 13:00:47 +0000

Foodies and football fans can huddle up to take a bite out of childhood hunger this weekend at the Taste of the NFL: The Ultimate Cowboys Tailgate Party.

A Beautiful Day To Talk About The Weather

Ryan Crowe — Thu, 17 May 2012 21:47:43 +0000

ARLINGTON (CBSDFW.COM) – One of the highlights for the CBS 11 Storm Team each May is Weather Day at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. The chance to combine sunshine and baseball always makes for a good day.

Before Thursday’s Rangers game against the A’s, the CBS 11 team taught a few thousand North Texas kids about how clouds are formed and what to look for during a thunderstorm.

But this year, the weather got some of the credit for a great Weather Day. “We had a blast out here today,” said meteorologist Garry Seith, “A little on the warm side, but no thunderstorms out here today.”

The festivities didn’t end with the presentation either. Chief Meteorologist Larry Mowry got the chance to try out his skills by throwing out the first pitch.

CBS 11′s Tracy Kornet also had a hand in the pregame festivities. She and rising star Destani Wilson combined for a duet on The Star-Spangled Banner.

And even while the Rangers didn’t come out on top Thursday, (They ended up losing to the A’s in 10 innings) a great time was had at the Ballpark. Take a look at some of our pictures:

Click to view slideshow.

On The Road: After School Ballet

ktvtdeborah — Thu, 17 May 2012 21:06:43 +0000

(credit: Mike Kinney/CBS 11 News)

I have seen lots of after school programs where the kids run around chasing each other to kill the time and others where the kids play ping pong, Foosball and board games. But today I went On The Road to check out an after school program in Fort Worth that has kids on their toes… literally!

The program is called FIND, which stands for Find and Inspire New Dancers. It is run by the non-profit group Ballet Concerto and is currently in four Fort Worth ISD schools. Ballet Concerto was an idea hatched by Margo Dean, who runs the school of ballet with her name on it, and was meant to bring ballet to those who couldn’t afford to pay for ballet classes.

The children taking ballet at Daggett Elementary all told me how much they enjoyed stretching and learning all their positions. Chassé, plié and coupé are all word that are harder for the kids to pronounce than to execute. One girl said her family is proud of her for learning ballet. None of them would have every tried ballet had it not been introduced to the after school program.

The goal is to let every child experience ballet and if they are good at it, then Ballet Concerto works to get them into Margo Dean’s School of Ballet. Board member Nancy Jones told me one student they found in the FIND program has gone on to be a professional ballet dancer. It’s stories like that, that tells you the program works. Ballet Concerto wishes they could be at every school and teach every child ballet but they depend on fundraisers and donations to keep the program running.

(credit: Mike Kinney/CBS 11 News)

If you would like to help, Ballet Concerto will be having a fund raising gala on June 7th at the Cendera Center. Then they will hold their Annual Outdoor Summer Dance Concerts in Trinity Park June 21-June 24th. If you have any other questions on how you can help you can email me at mkinney@ktvt.com or go to the Ballet Concerto website.

Photojournalist,
Mike Kinney

Impressionism On Display At Kimball Art Museum

KTVTPhil — Thu, 17 May 2012 15:00:51 +0000

The Kimball Art Museum in Fort Worth is currently showing an impressive collection of paintings from the impressionist era. Check out a preview of the exhibit.

Hot & Windy Weather Continues For DFW

KTVTPhil — Thu, 17 May 2012 13:00:10 +0000

FORT WORTH (CBSDFW.COM) - Thursday brings another orange Air Pollution Watch, as light winds continue and high temperatures remain near 90 degrees. (Where did spring go?) Winds should pick up enough on Friday to prevent another orange air quality day.

Temperatures hit 89 degrees on Wednesday, and that looks to be the target for Thursday as well. Breezy south winds pick up on Friday, with more sunny skies and high temperatures edging close to 90 degrees once again.

A cold front should flirt with North Texas over the weekend. There is a very isolated storm chance to the northwest on Saturday and Sunday. Most of the area will stay dry, except for a 10 percent chance of rain far off to the northwest. The overall rain chances remain slim on Monday — the best shot for storms at 20 percent.

Monday will see more high temperatures in the upper 80s.

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RAGE Rescue Of The Week: Pepper

sybil1053 — Wed, 16 May 2012 19:58:43 +0000

Pepper is an adorable ball of fur who loves to cuddle. He’s 3-years-old and very loving! He adores people and other dogs so he would make a great addition to your family. To find out more about precious Pepper, click here.

DFW Rescue Me Adoption Events:
5/19 11a-7p The Purple Cow - Preston/Royal (Map)
5/20 10a-3p Cafe Lago (Map)
5/20 11a-4p Pets Supplies Plus - Mockingbird (Map)