Dallas South Weeklong Series: People I’m Following

Posted on June 15, 2009 by Shawn Williams

I’m going to start releasing more lists because as Chris Arnold says: “People love lists” (I know I do). They will all be based on the number seven (I wonder why?). In this Twitter crazed society -not that there’s anything wrong with that- I thought I would outline people that I’m following. This week the topic is “7 People I’m Following in Dallas.” Tomorrow will be “7 People I’m Following on the Web.”

7 People I’m Following In Dallas

Danielle Ayers – Minister of Justice, Friendship-West

I’m a member of Friendship-West Baptist Church, so I have had a chance to watch Danielle Ayers come up through the ranks. She’s a student of the African-American Struggle in this country, and a 21st Century Harriet Tubman/Angela Davis.

Her role within the church is to insure that “the least of these” are given a fair shake, whether in the legal system, housing, or politics. She’s comfortable interacting with anyone from citizens needing assistance with their utility bills, to titans of the civil rights movement like Rev. Al Sharpton or Rev. Jesse Jackson.

Dwaine Caraway – Dallas City Councilman

When the Honorable Dwaine Caraway announced he was running for Dallas City Council, all I had to go on was a less than flattering article that was written about him in D Magazine. Fortunately the voters of District 4 were not swayed when they elected him as their representive.

I really (really) enjoy the fact that he is an overt champion for the city. Pessimism had become a prerequisite for city leadership for a while, but Mr. Caraway is one of the biggest advocates that our city has.

Caraway has reached out to disadvantaged African-American males, is leading the charge to reinvigorate the Lancaster-Kiest corridor, and is one half of the dynamic duo with his wife State Representative Barbara Mallory-Caraway.

Rawlins Gilliland – Writer

Rawlins is an American original. Whether it’s during his appearances on KERA or in his articles in the Dallas Morning News, Gilliland displays a relationship with the English language that few of us will ever know.

As a champion for Southeast Dallas, I think his message is starting to breakthrough. What seemed like nitpicking -insisting that Pleasant Grove isn’t used as a catch-all term- is now being recognized as good sense. Residents have supported and echoed the call to have their neighborhoods recognized correctly. The media is taking note.

Gordon Jackson – Managing Editor, Dallas Weekly

I still don’t know why the Dallas Examiner dropped Gordon Jackson, but one paper’s loss is another’s gain. Cheryl Smith brought Mr. Jackson on earlier this year, and the Dallas Weekly is better for it.

When I’m out covering events -whether at Southwest Center Mall or the Democratic Convention- I often bump into Mr. Jackson, which usually means that I’m in the right place. He asks great questions, writes thoughtful articles, and was the first member of the African-American press to take note of Dallas South.

Angela Hunt – Dallas City Councilwoman

To say Angela Hunt is the maverick of the Dallas City Council is an understatement. She’s been willing to go against her colleagues on issues like the Trinity Tollway and champion the cause of Jenny the Elephant. But her constituents always have her back because they realize that she always has theirs.

I literally follow Angela through her various postings on the web. She has been the only member of Dallas government to embrace social media in any meaningful way. Angela has been blogging for quite a while and I often check in on her Facebook page.

Recently she chronicled a trip she took to Seattle, commenting on the bike friendly nature and efficient transit system of the city. Last night I saw Angela was out getting snowcones, and it lead me to run down the street and get some tasty treats for my family as well.

Elvis Andrus – Texas Rangers Shortstop

When Michael Young was told that he was going to be moved from shortstop (the same year he won the Golden Glove Award) in favor of a rookie, he was angered to the point of suggesting he should be traded. Young obviously had not seen Elvis Andrus play the position before this year.

It seems like every night Tiny Elvis makes a highlight reel play in the field. And his skills with the bat have been better than advertised. Besides his stellar play, the Rangers have benefited from the energy and excitement that the 20 year-old brings to the ballpark everyday.

Eric Johnson – Candidate, TX District 100

I first became aware of Eric Johnson and his wife Nakita when they created the Si Se Puede PAC earlier this year. I bumped into him again at a gathering which they hosted last month to connect nonprofits throughout the city.

Now, Eric has thrown his hat into the ring as a challenger to St. Rep. Terri Hodge for Texas House District 100, which includes parts of Oak Lawn, West Dallas, South Dallas, and Southeast Dallas. His candidacy was even discussed on Sunday’s Inside Texas Politics. Eric has positioned himself as a strong candidate to challenge the incumbent Hodge.

Tuesday: People I Follow on the Web

Texas A&M President Elsa Murano resigns

Posted on June 15, 2009 by Shawn Williams

Yesterday we learned that the president of my alma mater (Class of ’96) Elsa Murano resigned. She had been in the lead role in Aggieland since January 2008.

Dr. Murano had received a poor review from A&M System Chancellor Mike McKinney for her work as leader of the university. Here is the Bryan-College Station Eagle’s recap of the appraisal.

On a scale of 1 to 5 — 1 being poor and 5 excellent — McKinney gives Murano a 1 for “team player,” 2 for “honesty/integrity” and a 3 for various personal attributes such as “acceptance of new ideas,” work ethic, judgment, loyalty and creativity. The review is broken up into five parts: leadership, management, constituent/customer relations, communication skills and personal attributes. Under the last two, she received no better than a 3, and nowhere in the review did she receive “excellent” marks.

The majority of the attributes — 23 — were ranked as average, and 13 were below average

This never seemed like a good match. Not because Dr. Murano was the first Hispanic president (Dr. Murano was born in Havana) or because she was the first woman to lead the university. And Murano had a long history with the school, first arriving on campus in 1995 which is always good in College Station.

But Murano was never embraced in a meaningful way by the university as a whole. I’m not sure who the blame lies with, but obviously McKinney thought it lied with Murano.

I began following this one as soon as the news broke of McKinney’s review a couple of weeks agoo. I’m president-elect of the Texas A&M Black Former Students (2011-2013) and was deeply concerned about the way that Murano had been treated after The Eagle requested a copy of the review..

The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, Council of Principal Investigators and Texas A&M Hispanic Network all stood behind the embattled president. But in the end, she decided to step back into a faculty position rather than face a public discourse of her job performance.

Me and my Palm Pre – the wait is over

Posted on June 12, 2009 by Shawn Williams

There are very few memorable lines from the Star Wars prequels. But one that always sticks with me is when the Chancellor/Darth Sideous tells Anakin Skywalker “your patience has paid off.”

It looks like the patience of Palm users has paid off with the arrival of the Palm Pre, now available from Sprint. For the last couple of years Treo users have been the laughing stock of the smart phone world, as iPhone and Blackberry users have ridiculed our archaic devices. Now, we may have the last laugh.

With a lot less fan fare and significantly less advertising, Palm and Sprint have released a superior product to Apples iPhone, the current gold standard of handheld devices. Last Saturday the Palm Pre became available in limited quantities at a price of $199 after a $100 rebate.

I bought my wife an iPhone for Christmas in ’07, and she has loved it. Why not, it’s a great device that really took the mobile experience to new heights. You Tubes, Movies, the scrolling flick, and a boat load of fun aps have made the iPhone a mega hit.

While the Pre may not sell as many phones, it is equipped with lots of features that make it more functional than the iPhone. Chief among them is the card feature which gives users the ability to multitask.

Multiple applications can be opened at the same time and reduced to “cards” that line up horizontally across the screen as small windows. You can swipe the cards left or right according to which one you want to use. Currently with the iPhone, you have to close out of an application whenever you want to open another.

I also prefer the full QWERTY keyboard that is part of the Pre’s hardware verses the keyboard on the iPhone’s display. Again, probably not that big a deal unless you banging out upmteen text messages as some of us do.

The one thing that the Pre will never have is iTunes, as I believe the iPod is the greatest invention in recent years.
With the iPhone 3.0, AT&T users will the ability to buy and rent movies, TV shows, music videos, and audiobooks from inside the phone’s iTunes app.

And the true value of the iPhone, it is the coolest toy you’ll ever get your hands on because of tons of user developed applications. The Pre will have to encourage scores of developers to create new aps for the device or port some of the popular iPhone aps over(we need Tap Tap).

So far the only drawbacks for the Pre are the battery life, impacted by the ability to multitask, and the cumbersome cover that fits over the charger input area.

For a fun gadget that gives you or your kids something to do while bored I’d suggest an iPhone. But if you are looking for a phone to make you more productive and gives you a virtual office in your hands, I’d suggest the Palm. Call it Revenge of the Pre.

Stephen Tyrone Johns, 39, killed in Holocaust Museum Shooting

Posted on June 10, 2009 by Shawn Williams

The Holocaust Memorial Museum announced that 39 year old Stephen Tyrone Johns died as a result of gunshot wounds suffered at the hands of Neo-Nazi James von Brunn. The Museum released the following statement.

There are no words to express our grief and shock over today’s events at the Museum, which took the life of Officer Stephen Tyrone Johns. Officer Johns, who died heroically in the line of duty, served on the Museum’s security staff for six years. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Officer Johns’s family. We have made the decision to close the Museum Thursday, June 11, in honor of Officer Johns and our flags will be flown at half mast in his memory.

DCist points us to a memorial Facebook group that has been created in his honor.

Holocaust Museum shooter James von Brunn is different that two other incidents

Posted on June 10, 2009 by Shawn Williams

It’s reported that James von Brunn, an 88-year-old white supremacist, walked into The Holocaust Museum and opened fire, apparently killing security guard. von Brunn was also shot and is hospitalized.

von Brunn

I’ve already heard comparisons to abortion opponent Scott Roeder’s shooting of Dr. George Tillman, and Abdulhakim Mujahid Muhammad who shot and killed Private William Long in recent weeks. While all three used guns, did not personally know their victims, and were fueled by some sort of deranged hate, von Burnn doesn’t fit the “Lone Wolf” profile so neatly.

Von Brunn is well known in hate group circles, and though you wouldn’t expect something like this out of an 88 year-old, it’s not his first time acting out.

According to von Brunn’s website Holy Western Empire, he “attempted to place the treasonous Federal Reserve Board of Governors under legal, non-violent, citizens arrest.” The site says he was “convicted by a Negro jury, Jew/Negro attorneys, and sentenced to prison for eleven years by a Jew judge.” This is how Talking Points Memo describe the event:

On December 7, 1981, a man named James W. Von Brunn pulled out a sawed-off shotgun at the Federal Reserve Board headquarters, claiming to have planted a bomb and threatening to take members of the Board hostage. That was 40 years to the day after the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, though it’s unclear whether that’s a coincidence or not.

Von Brunn may have been a “lone wolf” but he has been on the radar screen. I generally steer clear of the internet cesspool that is White Supremacists sites. Those very words and this post mean that they will find us here at Dallas South and start trying to spew their hate here.

But after learning of the shooting, and the “Negro jury” that convicted von Brunn, I couldn’t help but see what I could find out about the guy. Apparently his “life’s work” is a book called Tob Shebbe Goyim Harog (Kill the Best Gentiles). It’s hailed in hate circles, where I saw one person respond ” This is a book that needs wide distribution. The author has been through Hell, and back, and came out fighting. Buy, and read it, please.”

Dr. Tiller’s was the 9th person murdered due to abortion and to date, domestic violence against U.S. Service personal is still at a minimum. But von Brunn’s actions today is the latest in this country’s sad history of violence by supremacists. And they don’t have to hide or meet in secret, their message is overt and they tell everyone who they know how they feel.

While I heard some folks say on T.V. that Dr. Tiller got what he deserved, the majority of anti-abortion advocates came out against using violence. A few months back I met Bob Stains who’s Public Conversations Project lead a high profile mediation (he would say dialouge) between groups on opposite sides of the abortion debate. back in the 90′s This occurred after two receptionists were killed in Massachusetts and an anti-abortion group wanted to ease tension.

I don’t think White Supremacists groups want to ease anything. They will hail von Brunn as some sort of martyr and celebrate the fact that we are even talking about them.

see von Brunn’s Hitler’s Worst Mistake

But I always feel that you cannot ignore this segment of the population because the numbers are large and they are growing. It’s why every now and then I’ll let one of their bigoted comments get through just so that folks can see how these particular American’s think.

Though their ideas are on the “fringe” their numbers give reason for vigilance. According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, there were 926 hate groups operating in the U.S. last year. That represents a more than 50% increase since 2000.

By all accounts security personnel responded admirably to von Brunn’s treat. Unfortunately one of them had to pay with their life. May God Bless their family.

Volunteer Videographers and Video editors needed for Dallas South News

Posted on June 10, 2009 by Shawn Williams

We are in the process of recruiting volunteers to help staff Dallas South News, our nonprofit news organization focused on covering news in Southern Dallas. We need 100 citizen journalists in areas of writing, photography, news anchors, and more. Video presentation will be an important part of our news delivery, and we are in need of citizens who are willing to help us do it.

Today we are making a call for people with videography skills as well as video editing capabilities. For the videographers, we already have high definition cameras and sound equipment, so knowledge of HD videography would be a plus.

Video Editors are also needed, and knowledge of Final Cut and Garage Band is welcome.

Citizens who have their own quality digital video cameras are free to contribute as well. There will be no shortage of opportunities to cover exciting stories, just a shortage of human capital from time to time.

If you are interested in working with us, please email Zaye Garandi at producer@zayechannel.tv

More information to follow.

Save-A-Lot opens new Southern Dallas location at Crest Shopping Center

Posted on June 10, 2009 by Shawn Williams

On Tuesday, Save-A-Lot held a “Dollar Cutting” ceremony for their newest store at Crest Shopping Center in the Lancaster-Kiest Corridor. The store is completely new construction and replaces an abandoned theater, located at 2611 South Lancaster.

Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert and Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Dwaine Caraway were both on hand to participate in a “breakthrough shopping cart event” where they competed in a time race to grab groceries to benefit a family in need. Leppert was competitive as usual, racing around the store grabbing oatmeal and spaghetti, throwing them into the basket while Caraway pushed a neighborhood girl holding their item list.

View Map of Sava-A-Lot Location

Tenants at Crest Plaza are pleased with the progress. “This is of vital importanance,” says Vincent Hall, owner of Mickey’s Catfish.” We want business from all over the city and for people to feel comfortable spending their money in the area.” Hall also praised Caraway’s efforts working with the Crest Plaza owners to update the center.

Save-A-Lot donated 5,000 lbs. of food to the North Texas Food Bank on Tuesday, but Councilman Caraway challenged the community to do their part now that the new Save-A-Lot has come on board. “It is this community’s responsibility to make sure that this Lancaster-Kiest corridor continues to thrive.”

Crest Shopping Center is undergoing a face lift as the owners are putting a new facade on the entire plaza. “We want to be part of the revitalization of this area,” says shopping center owner Jonathan Shokrian. “It’s been kick started by Councilman Caraway,” he said. Cato Stores plans to enter the shopping center by the end of summer and Shokrian says other tenants are in the works.

Also on hand to help celebrate the store opening were State Representative Barbara Mallory-Caraway and City Plan Commissioner Michael Davis. Save-A-Lot has 19 stores in Texas with 11 of those being in Dallas-Ft. Worth.

This store is not a net gain for Southern Dallas because they already had a location in the plaza before, but does represent progress. Grocery stores are few and far between on the south side of town.

Caraway and Leppert see Lancaster-Kiest as a key area for Southern Dallas development due to its proximity to the DART Rail. There are plans to eventually construct a hotel in the area was well as other mixed-use developments.

Preservation Link’s “Through the Eyes of Our Children:Something Beautiful” opens at Dallas Museum of Art

Posted on June 9, 2009 by Shawn Williams

On Monday June 1st, Preservation Link’s Point of View photojournalism program held an awards program at the Dallas Museum of Art’s Horchow Auditorium. Preservatino Link is a nonprofit organization that looks to encourage an appreciation and an acknowledgment of community and culture through literacy, art, and technology education.

On the same night, the museum unveiled the exhibit Through the Eyes of Our Children: Something Beautiful, a collection of photos and videos from 5th graders who participate in the Preservation Link Program. Representatives of Preservation Link go to DISD schools throughout the year and help students to shoot photos and videos of their neighborhood. The result is Something Beautiful.

Yours truly served as M.C. for the evening, and awards were presented by David Herman, Destinee Lews, and teachers from schools who participated in the program. The exhibit will run until August 23rd. Below are pictures from the event as well as poems from some of the participants.

__________________________________________________________

“Why Communities Don’t Succeed”
by Isaiah Smith – Dunbar Elementary School

I don’t like the way my community looks because we don’t recycle.

We spend more time fighting than trying to build our community.

When people fight- someone can get hurt or sometimes killed.

Let’s help our community by working together, instead of against
each other.

”The Life of a House”
by Antwone Womack – Dunbar Elementary School

Houses are places that provide shelter, safety, and storage. But when people abuse them they start to look:

Distressed, Dilapidated, Damaged, Dangerous, Decomposed, Dirty.

“My mom and dad influence me the most.” Donisha Waters – J.J. Rhoads Elementary

“DREAMS”
By Myajia English – Dunbar Elementary School

When I look around my neighborhood
I see lots of ice cream, cemeteries,
churches, and dreams.

Dreams of children having
a safe place to live, play and
go to school.

Dreams of nice homes
for families
to thrive and live in harmony.

Ray Hodges Financial Group: Insurance plans to help protect families in case of unexpected loss

Posted on June 9, 2009 by Shawn Williams

The newest Dallas South Community supporter Ray Hodges Financial Group shares how families can protect against the financial strain that can come with unexpected loss.

BY RAY HODGES

Every day, between 6,000 and 7,000 people die in the US. Over 110 die in fatal car accidents per day. No one ever thinks it’s going to be their turn, but when it happens unexpectedly, the emotional damage is usually compounded by financial damage.

Sympathetic for 30 seconds after you share that your spouse died, the mortgagee still wants the payment. The funeral director patiently waits until you wipe your tears to find out how he is going to get paid. No time to mourn. Everything is due. I have lived this scenario and far too many will experience this outcome. As a mortgage/retirement protection specialist, I recommend the following options:

Fair option – Final Expense Policy – pays for burial and incidentals; your family won’t have to “pass the hat” to bury you

Good option – Term Insurance Policy – use this policy to pay off the mortgage, most people’s largest expense

Best option - Universal Life Insurance Policy – permanent policy large enough to bury you and pay off your mortgage; it covers you at least until 120 years of age; provides cash accumulation.

Call or email me to discuss how to best protect your family.

Love them? Protect them. 214-675-2952 • ray@rayhodges.biz

Cowboys Stadium opens to poor reviews from many concert goers

Posted on June 8, 2009 by Shawn Williams

It may be hard to tell by some media reports, but there are lots of complaints floating around about Cowboys Stadium in Arlington. Traffic seemed to be better than expected, but concessions and sound quality were not.

Just from reading through comments on websites and reports, it looks like one of my concerns early was the real issue: the deadline of June 6th was too short. If you looked at the stadium 6 weeks ago, in no way did it look like it would be ready for prime time.

Concessions were apparently a problem, as some reports had lines at an hour long. Price…..well that’s to be expected ($7.50 Hot Dog, $14 Margarita).

And when you go to a concert at a venue as grand as Cowboys Stadium, you can’t expect the acoustics to be the same as your local black box theater. We attended the Essence Festival when it was held at Houston’s Reliant Stadium in few years back, and the sound was far from perfect. The Superdome is a much better place to watch a concert, but it’s not as big either.

Many of the problems, like the fact that there weren’t enough concession items on hand, should be worked out before the Jonas Brothers. But some folks in the 400 section basically paid to watch the concert in high definition. At the end of the day, Cowboys Stadium is a football field, not an opera house.