Alegria

Send a truck to the park at White Rock Lake, Mister Softee! Seriously, this is the best soft-serve ice cream ever.

We live close enough to walk to Franki's and used to enjoy it when founder Franki Kovacic ran the place. However, the last time we had dinner there, maybe three years ago, the entree I ordered was so awful that I sent it back -- something I almost never do at a restaurant. I ordered something else, and it too was inedible. So I ended up eating nothing but the dinner salad. Needless to say, we never went back.

I'm sorry to hear about this fire in my neighborhood. Stefan Crane is a very talented artist who also builds beautiful Mission-style furniture. Our best to him and his family as they rebuild from this loss.

Mike et al.: Yeah, I'd seen Big Bob's recent update on the unlikelihood of the Casa Linda theater ever showing movies again. I live in the CL neighborhood, so I'm well aware that there is no real hope of that poor theater ever becoming anything except [maybe] more retail space. But I can always dream that Todd Wagner might open a little indie house there!

Sadly, as long as East Dallas maintains its archaic liquor laws, nothing very exciting is likely to enliven the dreary entertainment scene in Casa Linda and environs.

If only someone would open a movie house in the old Casa Linda theater space...

I had not seen Waltrina in some years, but she e-mailed a kind, encouraging message to me just two months ago, and I will always remember her thoughtfulness in reaching out to me at a difficult time. I always liked her stories on collecting vintage items, compiled from longtime experience in amassing her own vast array of collectibles. My condolences to Trina's daughter and the rest of her family.

Sad news indeed. That Brothers fried chicken was "some good business" -- very unfortunate that business wasn't so good. Hope they make a comeback!

I love Cindi's new downtown spot, and Anh is terrific... she is the American Dream personified.

Fezziwig, I have been making my way slowly through a half-gallon of Blue Bell's Key Lime Pie during the past week, and it's workin' for this key lime pie fan. This is the first I had heard of it too -- somehow I'd missed it during previous seasonal rotations. But I have to say I think it's pretty good.