Thursday, March 20, 2008

Week in View: Good Friday Edition

By Catherine Cuellar

Happy first day of spring!

It's not just wine, it's...

I hope you had a safe and happy St. Patrick's Day holiday and spring break week despite the rain. This weekend Christians celebrate Easter, Persians celebrate the New Year, pagans celebrate the vernal equinox, and candy lovers celebrate once-a-year cream eggs, Peeps, and chocolate bunnies. Whether you're hunting for kid-friendly crafts or an after-church brunch spot for your family, check with us for details. Of course, we have plenty of great ideas any day of the week, holiday or no.

And now, here are this week's top stories...

Metro

Race relations were a hot topic this week. In Fort Worth, Brite Divinity School re-affirmed its decision to honor Barack Obama's longtime pastor, Rev. Dr. Jeremiah Wright, Jr., despite objections from TCU's chancellor. Dallas South analyzed the national media attention paid to Dr. Wright. Meanwhile local African-American attorneys denounced statements about Obama made by Adelfa Callejo, as our new content partner North Dallas Gazette reports. With all this as a backdrop, the ninth-annual Dallas Dinner Table brought 900 citizens from all walks of life together to discuss race relations candidly.

In other news, Dallas Voice featured Plano's youngest-ever council candidate, who is also openly gay, and a Republican. Also in Plano, a pastor is threatening to sue because he couldn't hold a prayer meeting at city hall. West and Clear reports on a state judge's dismissal of a Fort Worth citizen's lawsuit attempting to halt natural gas drilling near the Trinity Trees. Farmers Branch police won't participate in a new program to aid Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Keller City Limits takes a look at the city's exorbitant legal fees. In Duncanville, Best Southwest Citizen takes a look at a city council rematch this May.

Music you can see

The Pegasus News local band database is now 1600 acts strong and growing. Among them, the Barley House's Wednesday night regulars The King Bucks, featuring members of the Polyphonic Spree, Sorta, the Drams, and Airline. Speaking of Airline, they're among bands from last month's Pegasus News Local Music Showcase now viewable on-demand. In other video news, you can see recent performances at the Granada by The English Beat and Jens Lekman.

The Biz

Leading off in n-ewww!-s, American Airlines is being sued because attendants did nothing to stop a passenger from masturbating in-flight on the plaintiff. Parkland Hospital garnered another national award. ACS is doing brisk business. The link between Carrollton and Miami is also strengthening.

Dining

Best Bites does a round-up of the places in town that are chasing the Pinkberry frozen yogurt trend. Continuing on the frozen confection beat, TG also brings news of Haagen Dazs Reserve ice cream flavors now available in Dallas stores. TG also reports on a respected local restaurateur who will bring Italian seafood to the West Village. Donna Chen tried Vietnamese in Arlington, while the Law Reviewers ate at a restaurant on Knox that's Cuban in name but Tex-Mex in influences.

Hot wheels

Flix

After bidding a fond farewell to Austin and SXSW, film guy John gave us the news on new DVD releases, reviewed Assassination of a High School President (which played SXSW and is about to play AFI Dallas) and noted the new dates established for the USA Film Festival. Meanwhile Alex reviewed CJ7.

We got game

This week's Todd's Cupcheck turns one year old. The Mavericks still can't beat anybody good. But at least one DFW-area sports team is doing well.

Stage and Scene

Shawn spoke to the star of the Dallas Theater Center's current one-woman show, The Blonde, The Brunette, and the Vengeful Redhead. Welcome also to two new content partners: DFW Theatre Scene discusses dramaturgy, while North Dallas Gazette reviewed Teatro delle Muse's The Glass Menagerie with an all African-American cast. Laura S. is again featuring user-submitted photos, gallery-style, now every week. She also checked out the DMA's new show Bluebonnets and Beyond.

Pegasus Picks for the weekend

Tonight:

• Plano's Persian New Year Festival kicks off with a concert.
• Amy Grant performs the first of two nights at the Meyerson as part of the DSO pops series.
• Texas singer-songwriters Beth Wood, Billy Crockett and Joe Ely perform as part of Arts and Letters Live during Late Night at the Dallas Museum of Art.
• If you didn't get enough Irish spirit on Monday, Riverdance is in Grand Prairie.

You know the good part about all those executions in Texas?

Saturday:

• Celebrate the start of spring and full moon at the Bath House.
• Funnyman George Carlin performs a couple of sets at Bass Hall.
• Dance to Rabbit in the Moon at the Lizard Lounge.

Sunday:

• Old City Park to eggs: This is how we roll, Victorian-style.
• Parade your pooch or just watch the costume contest in Lee Park.
• Pack a picnic to enjoy at the San Martino Winery and Vineyards on Lake Ray Hubbard.

That's it for this week.

Your Girl Friday,

Catherine Cuellar

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