Back Talk Far North Dallas

Dallas budget: Three questions for the council

We emailed three questions to North Dallas council members Linda Koop and Ron Natinsky about the proposed city budget. Koop, who represents District 11, responded by the deadline. Natinsky told us he doesn’t do email interviews. Here are Koop’s answers:

1: How confident are you in the city manager’s prediction that property tax revenue will increase by seven percent?

A: I am confident in the city manager's prediction that property tax revenue will increase by seven percent because the property values have already been certified by the appraisal districts.  The values as of Jan. 1, 2008 are 7.4% higher than the values were as of Jan. 1, 2007.

2: Are there trade offs in the proposed budget — like cutting clearance rates for some crimes — that make you uncomfortable?

A: The proposed budget enhances the police department with an additional 200 officers and the corresponding equipment (including additional patrol cars). These enhancements will continue to decrease the crime rate and improve the timeliness and quality of response.

3: Where does the proposed budget cut services that you think need to be restored?

A: I'd like Council to have a discussion about restoring:  the zoo's one day a week closure, the volunteer coordinator for the libraries and an immunization education program for seniors.

Technorati Tags: Dallas city budget,Far North Dallas,Linda Koop,Ron Natinsky

“Oklahoma!” at Addison Circle Park this weekend

If you’re looking for something to do this holiday weekend, you might want to swing by Addison Circle Park. That’s where there will be an outdoor performance of “Oklahoma!” courtesy of WaterTower Theater and the Dallas Wind Symphony. Just make sure you pack a cooler and a bottle of wine because both are permitted out on the lawn.

Jacques Pepin, Martin Yan sold out

Don’t count on seeing either chef, stars of public TV and the cookbook circuit, when they appear at Central Market in the fall. Both of their cooking classes have long been sold out.

In fact, scheduling is so tight that I have been told that maybe, if I’m lucky, I can get 10 minutes to interview Pepin. If you still feel compelled to go, they will be signing their new cookbooks when they’re at Central Market (if you buy the book at Central Market, of course). Yan will probably sign as part of his 11:30 a.m. class on Sept. 19 at the Plano store, says the chain’s Aimee Deputy, but details aren’t final. Pepin will sign at 7:45 p.m. on Oct. 8 at the Lovers Lane store.

Restaurant review: Afghan Grill

If you read this blog, then you know I'm up for anything when it comes to dinner. In fact, the more exotic and/or off-the-radar, the better.

My latest venture took me to Afghan Grill in Far North Dallas. I love Iranian food and eat it regularly, but this was my first bout with Afghan food, so I wasn't quite sure what to expect. I did guess, however, that there would be kebabs of some sort on the menu.  Turns out I was right. I ordered the chicken kebabs, just because they were safe. They were excellent. Succulent, a little charred (the way I like it), and served on a lovely bed of saffron rice.

I also went out on a limb and tried the kadu buranee--that's sautéed pumpkin in a yogurt and meat sauce. This put pumpkin in a whole new perspective for me. Honestly, this was the first time I'd eaten pumpkin in non-pie form, and it was good. Really good. Chunks of pumpkin are cooked until tender, and then topped with a tomato-based meat sauce and a dollop of yogurt. The pumpkin gives a natural sweet undertone, which blends perfectly with that savory sauce and tangy yogurt.

And make sure you try the firnee custard. I'm not entirely sure what's in it, but it has a firm consistency and tastes like a spiced version of flan. I think I detected some pistachio chunks and a generous dousing of cardamom, but I can't be entirely sure.

Oh, and when you go, make sure you bring a bottle (or two) of wine because this place is BYOB. And if you want to make a night of it, head across the street to Obzeet afterwards for live music on the patio.

Rename Dallas for Cesar Chavez? That's what Schutze says

He says he means it, and so I guess we'll take him at his word: How about renaming the city of Dallas after the late California migrant worker organizer. At least, that's Jim Schutze's take on the whole Industrial to Ross to Chavez conundrum in the Observer this week. My favorite part of the column, which talks about the rationale for the change and the implications — Jerry Jones would soon be marketing the "Cesar Chavez Cowboys", just in time for the North Texas Super Bowl!

Home prices: A tale of the headlines

We follow home prices quite closely here, whether it’s a national report, regional news, or our analysis of home prices in your neighborhood. So this week’s news that Dallas-area home prices declined another 3.2 percent, according to the respected S&P/Case-Shiller survey, is worth noting.

But what may be even more interesting is how this story gets reported. Is it any wonder the subject is so confusing?

Ross Avenue rename: So that's what a smoke-filled room looks like

Interesting take on the Cesar Chavez/Ross Avenue renaming process in the Observer's blog today, as Sam Merten walks through the backstage theatrics of how we arrived at a point where some city street — maybe any street except for Industrial — apparently has to be named to honor Chavez and to save face for the council's Hispanic politicians. Among the interesting points: Apparently the city's Trinity River Corridor Project committee got together before the street name vote, decided to link the two votes together (one to rename Industrial, the other to rename Ross) and then essentially traded votes among the group to ensure that everyone supported everyone else's agenda — as one Observer commenter point out, isn't there a requirement for open meetings to keep this stuff from happening? Mayor Tom Leppert continues to pull his invisible man routine on this issue, failing to provide some public leadership on a way out of this politically idiotic tradeoff. Maybe he's in Italy looking for another steel supplier for the bridge...

Six neighborhood schools make statewide honor roll

The Texas Business and Education Coalition's (TBEC) Honor Roll for 2008 just came out. RISD had 21 schools on the list. That's more than any other district in the state. And it’s the second consecutive year that RISD has led the pack.
Six of those schools were right here in our neighborhood: Brentfield Elementary, Mohawk Elementary, Northwood Hills Elementary, Prestonwood Elementary, Parkhill Junior High, and J.J. Pearce High School.
The TBEC looks at schools that serve similar student populations--then awards the schools that have the highest academic performances over a three-year period.
I’m a product of Prestonwood, Parkhill, and J.J. Peace—all of which made the honor roll list. After attending these schools I can tell you firsthand how great these schools are, but there’d be an admitted degree of bias there. But my personal opinion aside, these awards are a testament to their academic quality. Congrats to all the teachers, parents and students who made it happen.

A Labor Day respite: Free Day of Yoga

Yoga studios across the metro area are offering free yoga classes this coming Monday, Sept. 1. The goal of the event is to allow people to try yoga for the first time, try a new instructor, or try a different type of yoga. (I had no idea how many types there were until I read this incredibly helpful Real Simple article — and this list isn't exhaustive.)

The complete schedule includes a few right around our neighborhood — try one at Ranjaya's Yoga at Midway and Spring Valley, Telos Fitness Center on the Tollway at Spring Valley, Sunstone Yoga on Preston at Belt Line and Yoga for Life at Preston and 635.   

The day ends with a giant sun salutation class in the new One Arts Plaza downtown. Namaste.

Briefing: Did you get yours?

I raced out the front door this morning, and was shocked –– shocked –- to discover that Dallas' Only Daily Newspaper doesn’t consider me affluent enough for its new free paper.

This is the day that The News starts throwing Briefing, which it's delivering to what it describes as "200,000 upscale households not already taking the traditional newspaper." What a disappointment for me. To think that I have worked so hard all these years to make something of myself, to eventually own a house in one of Dallas’ nicest neighborhoods and to make a living that my accountant insists is quite nice -- and not to make The News’ cut.

I’ll try to find a Briefing (maybe drive over to the Park Cities and swipe one?) and report back later today.

Technorati Tags: Dallas Morning News,newspapers,Briefing