Best of Dallas Observer

[trolleygirl]

Wanted to start a thread for conversations about the Dallas Observer's annual "Best Of" Issue. This caught my eye.

http://www.dallasobserver.com/bestof/award.php?award=747827&year=

Best Sommelier/Wine List (2007)
Rudy Mikula, Hibiscus
2927 N. Henderson Ave.
214-827-2927

Readers' Choice: Hibiscus
2927 N. Henderson Ave.
214-827-2927

There's a reason why, shortly before this writing, Rudy Mikula was poached from Nove Italiano by Consilient Restaurants to become wine and beverage director for Hibiscus, among other Consilient duties. No surprise. Mikula is a walking comfort zone, a wine geek whose easy style and bone-dry wit melts inhibitions, making diners susceptible to Mikula's unique brand of vino evangelism. Listen to him. He plumbs and probes for the world's great sacramental blessings like the best of them. He'll pour you sips of his favorites. Like a particular wine and want to avoid the painful restaurant mark-up flaying? He'll soak off the label and secure it in a Ziploc so you can bring your bagged prize to your favorite retailer. Mikula is an intensely sincere steward, at once discerning, eager and shrewd. He'll usurp your finger and lovingly lug it through the wine list, helping you pinpoint the hidden ones that won't scare the Quicken out of you. If he can do this with Italian wines, with all of their confounding indigenous grapes and regional obscurities, imagine what craftiness he'll pull with the far more mainstream Hibiscus list. Just wait. And watch.

[trolleygirl]

And this:

http://www.dallasobserver.com/bestof/award.php?award=747558&year=2007

Best Blog (2007)
Uncle Barky
unclebarky.com

Readers' Choice: D magazine's FrontBurner
frontburner.dmagazine.com

On September 13, former Dallas Morning News TV critic Ed Bark posted to his Web site, which he calls a blog, a handful of wonderful photos of Mark Cuban sweating his ass off and making his "O" face whilst rehearsing for ABC's Dancing With the Stars. Man looked like he was going to have a heart attack; we're not sure he'd make it through a single episode of Crawling With the Stars. Ed got the snaps and the interviews with the Mavs owner because Ed's got clout and chops from two-plus decades at Dallas' Only Daily, where he accrued the rep as "the dean of American TV critics," as Kansas City Star's Aaron Barnhart wrote of Bark when he took Belo's buyout one year ago. We'll admit we're not as enamored of Uncle Barky's obsession with local TV news ratings as we should be, but Ed's coverage of local TV news goings on has been invaluable: He's the one who kept us informed of the doings at KTVT-Channel 11 during the Regent Ducas era; he watched Anchorwoman when no one else wanted to; and he still goes to Los Angeles on his own dime to cover the fall and spring season previews, since The Dallas Morning News is still too cheap and short-sighted to employ a freaking TV critic. He's providing content about content. At least Ed's still bringing something to the table, which is more than most of us can say in the crowded but somehow always lonely blogosphere.

[trolleygirl]

And of course:

http://www.dallasobserver.com/bestof/award.php?award=747527&year=

Best City Council Member (2007)
Angela Hunt, District 14

Readers' Choice: Angela Hunt

Come on, admit it. For sheer guts alone, you have to hand it to freshman city council member Angela Hunt, who stood up to the entire bunch on the Trinity River toll road issue. What makes Hunt the best council member is not so much the position she took on that river thing, but that she had the courage to do it and not be a nut case about it. When we read about her or see her on the tube, she's always calm, cool and collected. And except for the Trinity deal, she seems to play well with others. It's something about being smart, thinking for herself and doing what she thinks is right. Is that not a plan?

[Lakewooder]

Angela Rocks!

[Mballar]

Angela Rocks!
Yes, she does!!! Lakewooder, did you get my PM?

[frankchitown]

Angela Rocks!


That she does, but why are they still calling her a freshman?

[hamiltonpl]

Angela will be mayor someday. Mark it down.

[Mballar]

Angela will be mayor someday. Mark it down.
Not according to former Mayor Ron Kirk. According to Kirk, "I can promise you it ain't gonna happen . . . !" I'm sure he was echoing the sentiments/private discussions of the Dallas Citizens Council. See for yourself (make sure to select the 9/20/07 show):

http://www.wfaa.com/video/gordonfullshows-index.html?nvid=&shu=1

[trolleygirl]

Not according to former Mayor Ron Kirk. According to Kirk, "I can promise you it ain't gonna happen . . . !" I'm sure he was echoing the sentiments/private discussions of the Dallas Citizens Council. See for yourself (make sure to select the 9/20/07 show):

http://www.wfaa.com/video/gordonfullshows-index.html?nvid=&shu=1

Isn't one of the first rules in politics to not get emotional? Why does he care so much? Why would anyone be so invested in ensuring that this AHunt for Mayor won't happen? It's not like Kirk is pulling the strings in Dallas. Who's really getting all worked up and bothered about this iidea?

[johnmabes]

Why?

That statement makes me question the legitimacy of this entire forum, which I thought was dedicated to the progress of this city that we all love.

Angela Hunt is an attention seeking lone wolf with her own interests foremost in her mind.

WE ALREADY VOTED ON THIS, 10 YEARS AGO!!

The toll road was a part of the orginal plan that we approved. It is part of the plan that secured state funding that will make the entire project viable.

Siding with Hunt is ignorant and amateurish. Ron Kirk, Leppert, and even Laura Miller agree on this matter. What is Hunt's alternative? She doesn't have one. But the reality is, if she succeeds, the Trinity River Project will not happen. We will, as Ron Kirk put it, move to the back of the line for that state funding, it WILL go elsewhere.

Do the research. Hunt has no support from any council member on any of the last three city councils or any of the last three mayors. She is shameless in her "look at me" politics. It's irresponsible.

[Haretip]

Wow, you'd better get yourself some absestos underbritches.

In my best Marlon Perkins voice, "I'm going to wait in the Land Rover while John Mabes goads the angry lion".

What part of high speed toll road through the park was on the ballot when we voted 10 years ago, John?

Whose Koolaid are you drinking?

The alternative is not having a tollroad through the Trinity.

AH may have no support from the council, but her constituents love her and thats all that matters.

[Lakewooder]

Why?

That statement makes me question the legitimacy of this entire forum, which I thought was dedicated to the progress of this city that we all love.

Angela Hunt is an attention seeking lone wolf with her own interests foremost in her mind.

WE ALREADY VOTED ON THIS, 10 YEARS AGO!!

The toll road was a part of the orginal plan that we approved. It is part of the plan that secured state funding that will make the entire project viable.

Siding with Hunt is ignorant and amateurish. Ron Kirk, Leppert, and even Laura Miller agree on this matter. What is Hunt's alternative? She doesn't have one. But the reality is, if she succeeds, the Trinity River Project will not happen. We will, as Ron Kirk put it, move to the back of the line for that state funding, it WILL go elsewhere.

Do the research. Hunt has no support from any council member on any of the last three city councils or any of the last three mayors. She is shameless in her "look at me" politics. It's irresponsible.



Ignorant and amateurish? I guess you have not read the hundreds of posts we have done on this project over the years. We have and we are anything but ignorant on the subject. I didn't even vote for Angela the first time around and I have gotten to know her since purely through neighborhood and city meetings. I have not seen anyone this sharp on the council since Erik Jonnson in the 1960s.

Who are you working for may I ask? Our motives are not colored by money here, but are out of love for our city and its long term well-being.

Your silly attack on Angela is ignorant and amateurish. I guess that shows your side is losing very badly.

[johnmabes]

We live in a democracy, we vote, majority wins. That's the system.

Follow the link, read the article, become educated.

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/stories/081207dnmetbaitandswitch.352f72a.html

[dfwcre8tive]

We live in a democracy, we vote, majority wins. That's the system.

Follow the link, read the article, become educated.

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/stories/081207dnmetbaitandswitch.352f72a.html

Here's a link to the 29 pages of discussion on this topic:
http://forum.dallasmetropolis.com/showthread.php?t=6309

[Lakewooder]

OK before I stop laughing just let me say that you are right - the majority will prevail, that's the system. One problem - the suburbanites who want Dallas to spend $80 million and donate our park land to get them home faster can't vote in this election.

[johnmabes]

I hope 29 pages of discussion on a web forum are not being submitted as evidence contrary to a Dallas Morning News article.

Forgive me if I choose the venerable newspaper as my source.

[Lakewooder]

Not so venerable anymore! Journalism is dead now dead in Dallas thanks to the quivering employees of the DMN.

[johnmabes]

Oh I see, I must have missed the part of registration for this forum where it mandated that you be a paranoid conspiracy theorist.

Too bad I can't trust the big bad agenda-driven DMN, I guess I'll just have to turn to chat rooms for my news.

[dfwcre8tive]

I hope 29 pages of discussion on a web forum are not being submitted as evidence contrary to a Dallas Morning News article.

Forgive me if I choose the venerable newspaper as my source.

No, I meant you should post the link to that story in the "Trinity River Tollway" thread instead of the "Best of Dallas Observer" thread... since it has nothing to do with the topic here. As you will see, there are plenty of articles from various newspapers/publications/news agencies in THAT thread.

[johnmabes]

The originator of the thread chose 3 Best of Dallas Observer Categories, one being Best City Council Member.

[Mballar]

Siding with Hunt is ignorant and amateurish. Ron Kirk, Leppert, and even Laura Miller agree on this matter. What is Hunt's alternative? She doesn't have one. But the reality is, if she succeeds, the Trinity River Project will not happen. We will, as Ron Kirk put it, move to the back of the line for that state funding, it WILL go elsewhere.
Wow! Hurling insults in your first post is probably not the best way to make friends, nor the best way to present yourself as a reasonable person, willing to digest all points of view. IMHO, It just makes you come across as a zealot. I know that you're tempted to continuously brand this referendum as Council member Hunt's referendum. However, keep in mind that every time you do, you discount the 90,000 + people who signed those petitions, and I have to think that you further encourage them to vote YES as a result.

[trolleygirl]

Why?

That statement makes me question the legitimacy of this entire forum, which I thought was dedicated to the progress of this city that we all love.

Angela Hunt is an attention seeking lone wolf with her own interests foremost in her mind.

WE ALREADY VOTED ON THIS, 10 YEARS AGO!!

The toll road was a part of the orginal plan that we approved. It is part of the plan that secured state funding that will make the entire project viable..

No. No State funding. This was a BOND PACKAGE.

Why would you even start to question the legitimacy of this forum that you have registered to post on? Go on lurking if you think it's so illegitimate- a topic which is, if I may point out, way off in the general discussions about everything BS under the friggin sun. On an.....um, an online forum.

Hay, john babes...I know that you;re just doing your job and all but, do me a favor and go back to your chief handler, Carol Reed- you know the big blond lady who signs your community service card, and tell her the nerds from the dallasmetropolis forum are too smart for her idiotic plants. Just trying to save your side a few extra bucks.

Thanks for playing.

[msutton]

This is why new members get a bad reputation. Did you read the pages of discussion? Because, buddy, they include pretty much every article, dallas morning news, dallas observer, or otherwise, that's been published about the debate.

Read. Get educated. Or get lost.

[johnmabes]

Who is paying for the project?
The City of Dallas is paying for the $246 million bond program, approved by voters in May 1998. State, federal and other agencies are providing additional funds totaling approximately $1 billion.

In other words, the bond program got this thing off the ground, and its going to take 4 times that amount to bring the plan to fruition. Maybe, just maybe, those additional funds are contingent upon the plan as a whole which includes the toll road.

Frankly, I have no affiliation or personal allegiance in this matter, except to the City of Dallas where I have lived for the large majority of my life (and where, contrary to wild assumption, I still live).

My great hope is that we can finally turn the Trinity Toxic Trickle into the urban jewel that it is capable of being. The potential for our city is boundless if this project can be seen through.

Unfortunately, one individual's smoke and mirrors celebrity grab is going to cloud the issue and cause people to become paranoid about the nameless faceless Big Money Developer.

This is all reminiscent of the obstacles thrown up in front of Victory, which thankfully were overcome.

We don't have a park now and we're not going to get one ever if we don't secure the money. I know money is evil, but it purchases bridges and land and parks and flood control and wildlife centers and right of way and yes toll roads.

[Lakewooder]

Attacking Angela is not the way to win friends here!

[Lakewooder]

There's a poll at the Lakewood Advocate site -- you're getting your butt kicked:

http://www.advocatemag.com/stories/10-07/1.html

People in Lakewood are very savvy about Dallas and turn out to vote in high numbers, so I don't know what you are going to be able to do about that...plus you have made derisive remarks about the person some of us elected (twice) to represent us.

[hamiltonpl]

We voted for a park. Not a tollway.

It wasn't images of concrete and toll-booths that got the citizens of Dallas to pay for the Trinity River Plan. It was sailboats and green space.

Angela Hunt is certainly not winning any friends by fighting this battle. She's not doing it for personal gain. Instead, she's doing it because she earnestly believes it is the right thing to do. Even if you disagree with her, she's respectable. That is a lot better than most of the people who are on the council. To paint her as an attention grabbing celebrity seeking politician is an ad-hominem attack that is groundless and has nothing to do with the referendum. Attack the merits of the proposal. Not the person. She obviously struck a chord with voters, because 90,000 people voted for the referendum. That's more than typically vote for the mayor. So attack her ideas all you want. But attacking her as a person is petty and illogical.

With that said, I believe JohnMabes should change his screen name to "pot-stirrer."

[dfwcre8tive]

We don't have a park now and we're not going to get one ever if we don't secure the money. I know money is evil, but it purchases bridges and land and parks and flood control and wildlife centers and right of way and yes toll roads.

Here are a few things that have been started without needing the Trinity Tollway in place...

Dallas Breaks Ground on Audubon Center
Tuesday June 12, 2007... opens Summer 2008
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/stories/DN-audubon_13met.ART.State.Edition1.431da01.html

Trinity Levee Trail: Opened March 19th, 2005, 6.2 miles of primitive trail along the levee top, open to hikers, cyclists, horses.
http://www.trinityrivercorridor.org/html/faqs.html#Q16

The Sylvan Avenue boat launch, located next to Trammell Crow Lake Park, was completed in January 2002.
http://www.trinityrivercorridor.org/html/faqs.html#Q16

Chain of Wetlands Cell D project construction was awarded in July 2004 for $2.5 million and completed in October 2005.
http://www.swf.usace.army.mil/pubdata/pao/Articles/DFE_Wetlands.asp

Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge Groundbreaking
Saturday, December 10, 2005
http://www.wfaa.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/tv/stories/DN-bridge_10met.ART0.North.Edition2.22b93886.html

[johnmabes]

I don't understand the inability to grasp the idea that a project with the size and scope of the Trinity River Project is composed of dozens if not hundreds of inter-related and co-dependent parts.

Contingent is a key word. Money was donated contingent upon the completion of the entire vision. Putting a halt to one of the components stops the whole process.

The Audobon Center and the Trails etc. will be the last of the development we see if the project is stopped.

Honestly, I don't want a toll road in the park either, but I do want to see the Trinity River Vision become a reality.

[Haretip]

When the City came to use with the bond proposal for us to vote on, they did not propose what they have designed now. The purpose of the referendum is to either validate the City's effort to build a toll road or pull the reigns back on them and say "HEY! This is NOT what we voted for!"

If the toll road loses and the park development stops, then the council should be held accountable in the next election. I don't understand the inability to grasp the concept of having control over how our bond dollars are spent and that bait and switch tactics are not acceptable.

For the record, I could care less whether it is a toll road or not. I was living in Dallas when the bond election occurred, but have since moved to Fort Worth where our Trinity Plans do not include paving the river. But let's be honest in that the people of Dallas were sold a bill of goods on that bond issue.

[warlock55]

Maybe, just maybe, those additional funds are contingent upon the plan as a whole which includes the toll road.

Or maybe they aren't. Actually, no, they aren't. :rolleyes:

[frankchitown]

So back to the Observer's "Best of Dallas"...

I've never understood why the Observer choses their own winners for certain categories, writes copy about those, and barely mentions the "reader's pick" at the bottom. Shouldn't it be t'other way 'round?

(OK, it doesn't bug me that much..just trying to get back on topic)

[trolleygirl]

Who votes in the Readers Pick category? Soccer Moms and old people? I use that as my gauge of places not to go. Like Best Bookstore: Borders. Best Ladies Clothing: Targer. Best Mens Clothing: Target. Best Electronic Store: Best Buy. WYF? Who are these people? Do they live in Dallas or Richardson?

[CityLove]

Interesting you brought that up. I was shocked at home many chain stores/big box retailers made the reader's choice picks myself. I thought the Dallas Observer catered to urban hipsters like us forumers, not Plano soccer moms.

[Haretip]

I voted in the Fort Worth Weekly Best of. Some of my picks made readers pick and critic's pick they had a window that popped up on their website about a month before the issue. I did skip a bunch of stuff that I didn't know anything about.