Southern Dallas’ Empire of Failure Wasn’t Built by Democrats

A signed essay in Sunday’s Dallas Morning News by editorial writer Tod Robberson suggested the historical lock-step loyalty of black southern Dallas voters to the Democratic Party has done them little good. It’s safe to say something has done southern Dallas little good. In recent decades the overall saga of…

Charlie Hunter Gives Us a Glance Behind the Scenes of 35 Denton

In our ongoing quest to shine some light on some of the kindest, most supportive people hiding in the shadows, and behind the scenes, in DFW’s music community, there’s never a shortage when it comes to the people who bend over backwards for the 35 Denton festival, which is on…

A Chance Encounter at the Airport Bar

A friend picked me up to take me to the airport. She cracked the window, lit a cigarette and turned down the music. I was chatty, the pre-vacation adrenaline already swirling through my veins. It was just a long weekend, not quite the escape of a European sabbatical. But dreams…

Why Don’t Legal Immigrants Gripe More about the Undocumented?

Dear Mexican: You mentioned in the past that your dad is against illegal immigration, but that’s a voice you never hear. Why aren’t the legal immigrants and legal aliens “vocally outraged” about the illegals who drive down wages, drive up housing prices, use government services, give all immigrants a bad…

Mike Miles vs. Patronage: DISD’s Impending Principal Purge

Several minor political brush fires sent up smoke at the Dallas public school system after a tough new reform-minded superintendent took over the reins last July. But in two months the whole woods will be on fire, with Superintendent Mike Miles in the middle of it. Does he survive? I…

Singer Clint Niosi is Grateful for his Boring Job

Fort Worth singer-songwriter Clint Niosi, 33, works in the basement of a community college library doing on-site tech support and on-call tutoring. This does not sound fascinating, and I quickly see upon taking his invitation to meet him at his job that it really isn’t. For about a half hour…

An Open Letter to Klyde Warren

Welcome to Alice Column, in which Alice Laussade writes stories about things on (roughly) the same day of (roughly) every week, making it (roughly) a column. Got an idea for a column? Start your own blog and write it up, you lazy shit. Dearest The Klyde Warren, It’s my hope…

Reviewer Card Makes a Critic Out of all of Us

Casually drop that you’re a power Yelper while you dine at a restaurant, and undoubtedly your service will improve. Perhaps an extra cocktail will come your way. And ah, is that a free dessert? Of course some of us aren’t as forward as others. It can be hard saying out…

Are Burritos Supposed to Explode?

Dear Mexican: You have defended illegal immigrants by arguing that they will do the jobs gabachos won’t do for the same wages. I agree. I have a white-collar job, so I’m totally content to benefit from the low prices brought about by an uneducated underclass unprotected by American labor laws,…