by Mike Orren

If this appeared on any hub page, it would be considered the tease.

If you check a traditional news ticker these days, you're apt to go catatonic. We recommend you take a deep breath, enjoy the good things that DFW has to offer (from festivals to governmental skulduggery) and this, too, might pass...

Metro: I'd always been taught that politics was about the struggle between guns and butter, not guns and newspapers ... Cedars residents made a case for Dallas to stick to its plan regarding their neighborhood and lost ... Can't we even climb utility poles naked anymore?! ... The much-ballyached Mockingbird Lane construction looks to wrap five months early ... Big week for Baptist chuches, as they told us to have sex daily, but only with members of the opposite sex. On the other end of the spectrum, locals will be marching against California's gay marriage ban this weekend ... One of our neighbors went dramatically bye-bye ... Does FW deserve to be recognized for air quality? While you decide, smoke 'em if you got 'em. But will ya' take down the yardsigns already?

Stage: The Dallas Voice says that Make Me a Song is a revue that sounds like Woody Allen would if he was gay and into showtunes. ... Mark-Brian Sonna says that Veronica's Room is more than a play -- it's an experience ... You can catch UTD's Cabinet of Dr. Caligari for free -- Shawn has an interview with director Thomas Riccio.

Flix: Some young Dallas filmmakers had their moment on the red carpet ... If you skip the Lone Star Film Fest, Steve-O is sending a Swedish vampire after you. (Or, if you prefer positive reinforcement, you could meet Van Cliburn) ... On Friday, catch reviews of Bond flick Quantum of Solace; I've Loved you So Long, Let the Right One In, and One Fast Move or I'm Gone: Kerouac's Big Sur.

Music: Denton band Congratulations deserves congratulations for its gypsy grooves ... Andrew McElwee listens as Dixie Chicks songwriter Susan Gibson revisits some tunes from earlier days ... Bucks Burnett is back in the record biz ... Mike B. would definitely catch Buckethead again.

Artsy: The Dallas reunion at Southfork created a stir worthy of a good season-ender ... A new local website features a new work of art daily ... Grapevine's Uptown Theater is back.

Best Bites: North Texas Daily profiles the seamy underbelly of the Denton coffee scene ... West and Clear says that Fort Worth's new Simply Fondue is pricey but good while North Texas Daily understands why Tia Carito's is a Lake Dallas fave ... Mi Cocina - Mico = cina? ... It was a rough week, as Brothers Chicken, The Club, Tilley's and Tahitian Noni Cafe cried "uncle."

Game: When we think about the 2008 FC Dallas squad, let's remember the good times. Meantime, Dallas has a two in a bunch chance of being home to the new owner of Newcastle United ... The Stars participated in three contests this week. (The Checkcup thinks we need more fights breaking our at the hockey games.) Ditto the Mavericks. I can't believe I'm saying this, but how long until baseball season? ... At least we can still take pride in our state's namesake card game ... The Cowpokes were off, but stadium construction marched on, albeit at a high price ... The NFL Peg-Lockers finally made their calls in time to make the newsletter.

Schools: [Insert weekly Dallas ISD and Lancaster ISD horrors here.] ... But to be fair, the DISD has "a system in place that is consistent with high-performing systems." ... You are now free to speak about the campus ...

Bidness: There are a couple local ad agencies who could use some PR help ... See how a mother and daughter team beat the odds in opening their Denton boutique. Hope they fare better than Texas institution Harold's ... With the rosy economic picture, now is clearly the perfect time to peddle a $15 million shack in Preson Hollow, no? ... Synergy is the new plastics.

Pegasus Picks for the weekend

Friday

• Dig into the Delta Blues at the Old Red Courthouse.
• Get a headstart on your holiday spirit at the Downtown Dallas City Lights celebration.
• Speaking of holiday headstarts, the Chi Omega Christmas Market is at the Dallas Convention Center all weekend.
• Fort Worth hosts the Lone Star Film Festival all weekend.
• Catch Alaskan bluegrass band Bearfoot at the MPAC.
• The legendary Second City comedy troupe wraps its visit to Dallas (all weekend).

Saturday

• Seafood + Blues = KNON party at the Sons.
• Two charity outings: Children's Cancer Fund Great Pumpkin Race at White Rock and Alzheimer's Memory Walk at the Dallas Zoo.
• Timely: "Staying on Top in a Down Market."
• If the economy really tanks, you may need the skills you can pick up at the 11th Annual Mountain Man Gathering.
• If you're squealing for the movie premiere of Twilight, Borders locations around town can tide you over.
• Roller derby fans, today is your day: A Derby Devils golf tourney and Assassination City's "Day the Rink Stood Still."
• Vince Vance and the Valiants celebrate their 350- er, 35th anniversary.
• Three words are worth a thousand pictures: Dallas Fetish Ball.

Sunday, Sunday, SUNDAY

• It's a big day for foodie dames.
• B.B. King plays the Meyerson.
• Method Man and Redman at the HOB.
• Toast your bartenders. Try the local music.

Next week's missive will be early due to the Thanksgiving Holiday.

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