Pegasus News week in view: White Elephant edition

by Mike Orren

First, our apologies for technical difficulties some of you had with last week's newsletter. Those responsible received coal in their stockings. (But their gifts were wrapped!) Meantime, we still have all the holiday events you can jingle a bell at, including a growing list for your New Year's planning pleasure.

Metro: By the time you get this, Ron Kirk will have been named Obama's [insert vacant high-ranking, but non-cabinet position here] ... Rachel Orr interviewed a Dallas DNA exoneree ... Rebecca Aguilar delivered a moving story of a family giving back to the hospital where they lost their daughter -- and provided info on how you can help ... Street Zine ponders the future of The Bridge homeless center ... Barking Dogs figured out that Dallas' worst towing company has found a ninth life ... Texas lost a true original as Austin resident and Dallas Mayoral candidate Jennifer Gale died ... Lancaster Today reported that business owners are rallying against a new master plan ... The Collin County Observer says that Murphy's emergency response times need improvement. Meantime, there's lots of turnover in Collin County government ... A Keller home was made over. Extremely. And our reality-show cred stayed strong with a Biggest Loser win.

Artsy: It's Denton in the Downtown Showdown ... The Dallas Voice had reviews of holiday shows The Santaland Diaries and This Wonderful Life ... The Out of The Loop Fringe Festival lineup has been announced ... Laura E. shopped local with Arlington's Etsy artists.

Flix: Check in Friday for reviews of The Tale of Despereaux; A Secret; Yes Man and Seven Pounds.

Music: Brenna caught a triple bill including Radiant and Calhoun at Lola's ... Here Holy Spain was signed by Idol Records ... Content partner The Vincent Tucker Radio Show celebrated its one-year anniversary.

Best Bites: ... hit a new Indian restaurant and cigar bar and noted that we can't get enough of burgers around here ... The Law Reviewers rounded up the best kids' restaurants ... The Richardson Texadelphia isn't a Texadelphia anymore. And Chuck's is now Chuck & Lucy's ... This week's deathlist includes Urbano Paninoteca and Strong's Everyday Tavern ... The Wolfgang Puck restaurant has a chef ...

Game: The Cowboys kept the season alive against the Giants ... The Mavs had a good week too ... The Stars had mixed results on the ice, but cleaned the sloppy seconds from the lockerroom. The Cupcheck lets us in on their Christmas wishlists ... Alex was on the scene at the White Rock Marathon ... Erin was there as Maryland won the NCAA soccer title at Pizza Hut Park.

Schools: Former Mavs coach Avery Johnson was hawking his book in Dallas schools this week ... DISD handed out bonus bucks to top teachers. Too bad they're already over budget for next year ... UTD researchers are bearish on the ionosphere ... Lancaster is about to get an interim superintendent to replace Larry Lewis ... Kudos to Fort Worth ISD, which appears to be the only district in the area that is happy with its leadership.

Bidness: Neiman Marcus is slowing its expansion ... Misti Day checked out Denton shopping gem Sleeping Lizzards.

Pegasus Picks for the weekend

Friday

• If you're not into holiday events or benefits, you might want to stay home this weekend.
• The Irving Chorale goes Celtic, Christmas style.
• If you like your holidays darker and bustier, The Prophet Bar features goth bands and burlesque.
• Centro-matic headlines a Christmas show at the Sons.
• Airline and Shibboleth lead an orphanage benefit at Double Wide.
• The Nawlins Gumbo Kings celebrate their CD release at Pearl.

Saturday

• Learn how to cook wild game at Aurora.
• Brave Combo teams up with the Las Colinas Symphony.
• Have yourself a jazzy little Christmas.
• Everybody's got a White Elephant to hide except for Me and My Monkey.
• Drop by Bill's Records for some Christmas shopping and free sets from local bands.
• The Ridglea Roundup brings you top country bands benefiting Child Cancer charities.

Sunday, Sunday, SUNDAY

• Poor David's hosts a benefit featuring Jayson Bales and Glitter Rose.
• The Barley House also goes in for charity with a toy drive featuring The Drams, American Werewolf Academy, Pleasant Grove and John Dufilho.

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