Thursday, May 1, 2008

Pegasus News Week in View: Mayday Edition

By Catherine Cuellar

Happy Mayday to all who labor,

It's a big weekend in North Texas, whether you'll be betting on live races at Lone Star Park during the Kentucky Derby, celebrating Cinco de Mayo a touch early, or planning ahead for Mother's Day (which a few loyal Week-in-View readers were quick to point out is Sunday week, not as soon as I'd mistakenly reported -- thanks for the catch).

Metro

Early voting is underway and continues through May 6 for May 10 city, county, and school elections throughout the region. Check campaign contributions in key local races. Meanwhile -- Dallas mayor Tom Leppert and fellow council members traipsed across China on a trade mission with stops in Qingdao and Dalian. Back on the home front -- Dallas County's homeless population is growing. So is its stray animal population -- but Dallas proposals to remedy the situation angered breeders. Grits for Breakfast talked about Dallas' slow court system. Speaking of courts, following last week's a guilty plea by one defendant and a no-show in court by another, a former Dallas contractor this week pleaded guilty and offered testimony against former Mayor Pro Tem Don Hill, plan commissioner D'Angelo Lee, and contractor Brian Potashnik in a federal corruption investigation. Richardson Echo questions the validity of a political survey, while Blogging Frisco discusses the late night ordinance to be decided by voters. In other election news, Best Southwest Citizen reports on the twists and turns in Duncanville's candidate forum.

Check out Mayfest this weekend in Fort Worth

Screen

Last week, John was not deceived by the "erotic thriller" label attached to Deception. He also conducted a first-person interview with legal eagle Robert Blecker, subject of the death penalty documentary Robert Blecker Wants Me Dead. It was a tough assignment, but somebody had to report on the panel discussion and live movie riffing conducted by those wacky MST3K folks, and John assigned himself the task. Cinematographer and USA Film Festival honoree William Fraker appeared at a 40th-anniversary screening of Rosemary's Baby, and even though it turned out not to be a dark and stormy night, we went ahead and covered it. And Pegnews prez Mike Orren reported on the proceedings of the Dallas Philosopher's Forum on the occasion of their panel discussion on Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed. Bonus: here's a sneak preview of film guy John's Iron Man review (which he found rip-snortingly fun).

No Siesta! It's a Fiesta!

Stage

Shawn spotlights actress Morgana Shaw, who plays a limbless carny in the just-opened Freakshow. Mark-Brian Sonna reviewed Dance for the Planet. McKinneyNews.net reports on a proposed new theater. A mover and shaker in on the Dallas community arts scene for more than a decade is leaving for NYC. Casa Mañana's president is also leaving, for Kansas City, MO.

Dining

TG reports Spam is coming soon to a menu near you, gave us a taste of new Starbucks chocolate available in grocery stores around town, and spots a wine bar trend. Steve-O from West and Clear reports on award-winning lager at Covey Restaurant and Brewery. McKinneyNews.net visits Delaney's Irish Pub.

Listen up

Mike O. caught the Avett Brothers in Dallas, while 2K7 reviewed Edgefest in Frisco. TG reports on where Tommy Lee and Ludacris dined while in Big D. Erin offers a guide to Fort Worth's Mayfest and reviewed two groups with "ramblers" in their name at Lola's. Community members also reviewed a new CD from P.P.T. and local tour stop by Rush.

Sports

The Mavs are done, and Avery is gone, but Todd's playoff beard is not. In this week's Cupcheck, he goes deep into the mind of a San Jose Shark fan. DFW International tells a heartwarming tale of how a local business helped a team playing in the African Unity Cup. Erin continues to track FC Dallas. The Rangers, meanwhile, are treading water.

Bidness

Stephanie covered the Broadband Properties Summit at DFW. McKinneyNews.net notes the opening of a new Center for Preventive Medicine. Following the split between the DMN and WFAA8, A.H. Belo isn't faring too well. ExxonMobil wants its customers to get smart. Another Dallas business jumped on the Barnett Shale bandwagon. The Texas-Germany connection rears its head once again. And in Plano, poetry and Alchemy go hand-in-hand.

Pegasus Picks for the weekend

Friday:

• Enjoy some fine live music while you run evening errands at Kroger
• The Derailers and Kelly Willis headline Fort Worth's Mayfest.
• Pink Floyd's Roger Waters, minus one giant flying pig, in Fair Park
• It's closing weekend for Richard III at Kitchen Dog and Neil Young's Greendale at Undermain.

Saturday:

• High temps got you down? Learn how to maximize your home's energy efficiency from the best "green" builder in the biz.
• Happy National Free Comic Book Day! Celebrate at the largest event of its kind in the United States, CAPE.
• There's a NORML rally the same day as the Widespread Panic gig. Coincidence? I think not.
• Steps away from Little Mexico, celebrate Cinco de Mayo in the West End.
• Former Dallasite Brian Campbell "Camp" Bosworth displays his tequila-dispensing replica of the Marfa water tower and other Borderline Greatness at South Side on Lamar.
• Hecho en Tejas features music by Davíd Garza, among others, and readings from and by Texican literary figures at the Latino Cultural Center.

Sunday:

• Celebrate the opening of the Dallas Museum of Art's new Center for Creative Connections
• Ever wondered what it's like to live in Dallas' fancy pants Turtle Creek? See for yourself on the 8th annual home tour.
• Experience the Beatles with two performances of Rain in Fair Park.
• Hear the sounds of Africa with a choral performance at St. Luke's UMC.
• Seminal electronic group Meat Beat Manifesto at the Granada

Looking ahead, Mother's Day is coming up -- let us help you make reservations. If you're still spring cleaning, list your garage sale with us. You can always add an event to our calendar, post stories of your own, and get our Pegasus Picks, latest comments, and latest stories on your mobile via RSS.

Next weekend I'll entrust Mike O. with newsletters while I'm on vacation. With thanks and love to all the moms out there, I remain,

Catherine Cuellar

Managing Editor

Pegasus News

You received this email because you opted in for our newsletter when registering for the site. Click here to unsubscribe.

See more stories in:

• Weekly newsletter