Dallas News Blog

​As we mentioned yesterday, Neiman Marcus's downtown flagship will formally unveil this year's Christmas window display Friday night, just before they light the big ol' Christmas sculptree in Main Street Garden. But downtown denizens have already had their sneak preview: Justin Terveen was downtown yesterday as set decorator Ignaz Gorischek and his elves were putting the final touches on the kiddie tube, and he sent Unfair Park a handful of early looks at the extraordinary display. (Justin's covering tomorrow night's shindig as well.) As not to spoil the surprise for those who prefer waiting to open their presents till the very last minute, I'm putting the entire series of photos after the jump.

Friend of Unfair Park Peterk sends word: "Yes, folks, now you can buy Icky Twerp items." And just in time for the holidays. The shop's right here, though be warned, it's not much: two T-shirts, a Slam Bang Theater best-of DVD and two video cassettes (!). Says Paul Camfield, son of Icky, the product's left over from the September celebration in Fort Worth. Camfield wants to do more, but needs the partner ... "and the time," he says, "because I'd love to celebrate the show with fans."

But the bigger question is: When will Richard Allan Kent's doc about the late, great Bill Camfield, Icky Twerp: The Electronic Babysitter, get a proper release, at least on DVD?

"We're talking about it right now," Camfield says. "Thirty, 40 were made to sell at the fest, and Richard says he's gonna turn 'em loose, and I'll sell 'em. But we want ot make those are available too. That's his property, so we're trying to make sure he gets compensated fairly. But it's a great, great, great doc, and the fans would enjou it immensely. It'll happen. Maybe an on-demand thing on the Web. But it's going to happen soon. No doubt about that."

Patrick Michels

This week's Fall Toy Preview is a private show up on the Dallas Market Center's 12th floor, but there are signs all around the building.

​For a few days in mid-October last year, the 12th floor of the Dallas Market Center buzzed with anticipation over the big new offering from the toymaker Bandai -- of Tamagotchi fame, you'll recall -- a short plastic mannequin and a few swatches of fabric, packaged as a fashion design toy called Harumika.

Those recently began hitting the shelves, with deluxe kits including digital cameras, and entry into Harumika's own virtual world for sharing design ideas, and Toy Industry Association spokeswoman Julie Livingston says Harumika was an early favorite for this year's top Christmas toy fad (above even the Burning Man cupcake car).

Once again this week, mass retailers like Walmart, Sam's Club and Target are trolling the booths of TIA's Fall Toy Preview and making their picks for what kids will want under the tree come Christmas 2010.

Patrick Michels

Santa and Berkeley-based cupcake car designers Lisa Pongrace and Greg Solberg

​Unfair Park was among those at the Dallas Contemporary this morning getting an early look at this year's Neiman Marcus Christmas Book, and among the gems inside: this high-performance, Burning Man-tested cupcake car, yours for the low, low price of $25,000 (Santa not included).

Other highlights on display this morning include this souped-up electric motorcycle (only $73,000), his-and-hers private planes ($250,000), a massive chandelier valued at a mere $12,000 and a $200,000 seat at the Algonquin Round Table next to the likes of Malcolm Gladwell, Christopher Buckley, Nora Ephron, Anna Deavere Smith and George Stephanopoulos.

Update: For some holiday shopping inspiration, check out our slide show from the showcase.

You're now free to get your drink on -- oh, little late for that, never mind. Regardless, we come now to the final posting of the year, a year-ender masquerading as a list of resolutions. No doubt, I've forgotten some of the highlights, lowlights and low lifes of The Year That Was; as always, you're welcome to add to the list, preferably before sobering up.

We'll return on Friday, if not before, and early in the '09 expect a few changes on Unfair Park; the Big Bosses have big plans. Till then, then, a sincere thanks to the Friends of Unfair Park, from the most vocal and prolific of commenters to those who simply stop by when there's nothing else on. And, of course, best wishes for the new year -- it has to be better than this one. Former Dallas resident Jack Ingram, take us out. --Robert Wilonsky

Friends of Unfair Park I like to call "Mom" and "Dad" suggested this photo op on Meaders Lane, where, from the looks of our drive last night, damned near every house between Preston and Inwood Roads appears to have one of these signs planted in the front yard -- on purpose, even. They're branching out too, as evidenced by the welcome-home placard on the northwest corner of Walnut Hill Lane and Tulane Boulevard. One guess what I got Schutze for Christmas. --Robert Wilonsky

Dr. Jane Sadler at Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas grabbed Santy's jingle bells last week and told him to cough in advance of the big man's big night. Associated Press photographer Scott Hensley captured the Kodak moment that screams so eloquently and accidentally Christmas 2008. We'll return on Friday. Till then, may yours be the best Chrismukkah ever. And now, this note of happiness and cheer. --Robert Wilonsky

Say what you will about Jason Kidd being no Devin Harris, but the point guard's no Grinch either: Last week his foundation took 40 kids from the Dallas Children's Advocacy Center on a shopping spree at a local Toys "R" Us. Each child received a $300 gift card -- a most generous gift, most definitely. --Robert Wilonsky

Danny Bollinger's the man who documents the moves of your Dallas Mavs; if you're not following his fantastic photog blog, which goes more behind-the-scenes than the Wizard of Oz, you're missing out. A week after this festive photo of Dirk Nowitzki snapped at a charity event made the rounds, Danny was kind enough to forward two click-to-expand outtakes from the same event, both of which prove, yet again, that Dirk is very tall for his age. The one after the jump? Well, it's adorable too. --Robert Wilonsky

10. Mayor Tom Leppert presents a Mavs jersey to Mayor Huang Xingguo during his trip to China.

After the jump, courtesy the folks at Firehouse Dallas, The Carol of the Christmas Pickle -- a nod to this most mysterious of holiday traditions. Says it's been viewed 'round 30 thousand times since debuting two weeks ago, though first I heard of it was during the annual "Dallas Christmas" search of the YouTubes this morning. Regardless, a short, hot smoke worth a look-see.  --Robert Wilonsky

Governor Rick Perry sent us a Christmas card -- awful nice of him, though I wish I could tell where he went to college. So, in the spiriting of giving, we figured we'd share -- along with his list of who's been naughty but who he was nice enough to pardon on Friday. Mazel tov, Jerry Wayne Crownover of Arlington, Marlyn Ann Linguist of Cedar Hill and Thomas Clyde Reedy of Denton. A regular Christmas miracle. --Robert Wilonsky

You'd best act now on this collectible comic, which came gratis with a Dallas Times Herald back in 1983 and is going for pennies on the pound for two more days. (This eBay'er wants $100, good God.) Though, come to think of it, the Texas Stadium Spidey's probably more appropriate, what with tomorrow being the big adios and all. And there's always the Spider-man Goes to Sanger-Harris comic, which I still have -- dunno why. Even took the Hulk with him once, awww. Left him home for the trip to the Dallas Ballet's Nutcracker, though. --Robert Wilonsky

A Friend of Unfair Park, who's clearly in the holiday spirit, suggested we head back over to the White House's "A Red, White and Blue Christmas 2008" page, if only to check out local (and regional) pols' choice of ornaments hanging from the White House Christmas Tree. And, sure enough, there were a few to be had -- including the one you see at right, courtesy Kay Bailey Hutchison and James Avery, who got a lot of my hard-earned whenever I was desperate for a girlfriend's gift in high school. A few others after the jump, with a few questions as well.

If you've got more than $14 in your wallet (not me, not me), this eBay offering may be just the big-ticket item for the flashy nostalgist on your gift list: a pendant from Neiman-Marcus that, apparently, dates back to the 1970s. It's 14K, so they say, and so-so-so retro -- except for the price, which is, at the moment, stalled at $1,500 and way out of my price range. Besides, I'm saving up for this. --Robert Wilonsky

Earlier today our downstairs neighbors at Big Thought sent the image above, which you've no doubt seen if you've window-shopped at NorthPark Center during this most wonderful (enh) time of the year. It's the storefront at Barney's New York, where the theme's "Have a Hippie Holiday," which, I'll assume, involves listening to American Beauty while stoned and unshowered. Says the accompanying release: "The famed Peace symbol, which celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2008, has been amazingly interpreted by fourth- and fifth-graders from Dallas ISD's Anne Frank Elementary School," and it was done "using acrylic paints on a 12"x12" stretched canvas." So, right, dig it. --Robert Wilonsky

Seems appropriate that on this freezing-foggy night at 7, WFAA-Channel 8 will air A Charlie Brown Christmas, augmented with 30 minutes' worth of needless extras: "a series of Christmas-themed animated stories entitled Charlie Brown Christmas Tales, based on Schulz's work, in which each of the beloved PEANUTS characters -- Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Linus, Lucy and Sally -- star in his or her own charming animated vignette," feh. My affection for the original's no secret: Here, from December 2000, an interview with co-creator Lee Mendelson in which he discusses creating the special that almost wasn't and how he felt about watching the special for the first time without Charles Schulz, who had died in February of that year. And, from 2003, this essay about the 1965 special for NPR's Day to Day.

But how to, you know, localize? To justify its mention on Unfair Park? Easy: From 2000's Electric Ornaments: An Idol Records Christmas Collection, Chomsky's rendition of Vince Guaraldi's "Christmas Time is Here," a bouncier cover than most versions of the yuletide staple but no less affectionate. What say you, Linus? I thought so. Oh, and after the jump is the holiday-party invite that's currently streaming on some local ad agency computer at this very moment. --Robert Wilonsky

Chomsky, "Christmas Time is Here"

About half an hour ago, Allen Gwinn alerted us media types to this Dallas.org item concerning a hoax e-mail being sent 'round concerning the harmful hustle that wasn't: folks taping fliers to the back windows of cars at NorthPark Center, which they use to lure would-be victims from their vehicles. Not true, know those in the know -- which didn't stop Sheffie Kadane's office from sending out the e-blast, despite alerts from the alert who'd already scoped the hoax on Snopes.

Allen included with his missive a strand of e-mails from various crime-watchers notifying both Kadane's assistant and his secretary to stop with the scaring. To which assistant Caroline Nosworthy replied, "We would never send out information that we know to be false and if we find that we have sent out erroneous information I will be the first to re-tract it." Only, not so much. Because, she later tells Gwinn, to retract the missive "would cause more confusion." Not really. I hope Allen posts all the e-mails. They're quite the read. --Robert Wilonsky

A Friend of Unfair Park who attended SMU sends along this gift-giving suggestion for his fellow Mustangs (and, ya know, anyone else): the school's latest calendar, The Golden Age of Football: 1920s to 1960s, which, like plenty of other retro date-minders on the market, features reproductions of old game-day programs from way back when. (Aw, nothing from the Phil Bennett era?) Says the school, all the programs used in the calendar are from the SMU sports history collection at Heritage Hall, which'll keep some of the proceeds from the $18.95 calendar.  --Robert Wilonsky

I see over on DC9 Pete's linked to an old holiday fave, the Old 97's performing "Holly Jolly Christmas," taken from the 1995 Big Iron release Honkey-Tonk Holidays: Christmas in Deep Noellum. The disc -- which also features the likes of Cowboys and Indians, Liberty Valence, the Mutineers, the Sutcliffs, Andy Owens and other bands beloved by us olds -- has been out of print since forever; way back in '97, we ran a piece about how hard a time Mike Mattocks had distributing the record. But, see, I've still got my copy, which is why, after the jump, you'll find three more tidings of comfort and joy courtesy a neglected gem worth rediscovering at this most wonderful (enh) time of the year. And, if nothing else, that cover -- which, if you click on it, will get real, real big -- makes me remember how damned much I miss Naomi's. --Robert Wilonsky

Just a reminder: The auction for this original Ian Dingman ink drawing, done for the Criterion Collection Bottle Rocket DVD, ends in 10 minutes. And so far, the bidding's up to $350, with proceeds going to the North Texas Food Bank. So, last call. I will update this, well, at noon, when the auction ends. --Robert Wilonsky

Update at noon: The bidding has closed, and Friend of Unfair Park "Mike B." has provided the winning bid of $350. So, to Mike and all those Friends who made generous bids, thank you.

First, a reminder: Tomorrow at noon, we're closing the auction for the original Bottle Rocket artwork Ian Dingman created for the Criterion Collection DVD. Get yer bids in now; right now, we're up to $250$300, with proceeds going to the North Texas Food Bank. Very nice.

Now, a early holiday gift for some lucky Friend of Unfair Park who, I hope, likes the architecture. Because sitting by my desk for the last couple of weeks has been a shrink-wrapped copy of David M. Schwarz Architects 2002-2007, a mammoth just-published coffee-table book featuring glossy spreads of some of Schwarz's most recent work -- including, among other local hot spots, the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame in Fort Worth, Dr Pepper Ballpark in Frisco and the West Village. (Schwarz is perhaps best known locally as the man behind The Ballpark in Arlington, The Nancy Lee and Perry R. Bass Performance Hall and the American Airlines Center.) Anyway, I'd like to give it to a Friend of Unfair Park -- no strings attached. Just e-mail me directly, not in the comments. Incidentally, I'm going to do one of these holiday giveaways 'round this time every day till Christmas Eve. You've been warned: lots of DVDs. But, tomorrow, Texas-made movie-related action figure! --Robert Wilonsky

Update: And there ya go -- present delivered! Till tomorrow. Seriously. It's gone. Please, stop e-mailing me. Please? There's plenty more to go around. Swear.

Because if you do, there's a good chance someone's watching. Like, oh, the Herreras of North Richland Hills, who installed a hidden camera to keep guard over the yard. Reports the Associated Press:

Upset after their teeter-totter was stolen, the family trained surveillance cameras on their yard and was surprised when footage showed a teenage girl stealing a baby Jesus worth almost $500. Police have obtained the tape.

"They took the family Jesus," said Gloria Herrera, 48, a Catholic. "How can anybody do that?"

Just found a new band name: The Family Jesus. Then again, some baby Jesuses just like to travel. --Robert Wilonsky

After the jump, a photo taken Sunday evening at the intersection of Merrell Road and Cromwell Drive in Northwest Dallas -- perfect for those in need of a Christmas card at this late date. --Robert Wilonsky

The bleakest of Black Fridays at a New York Wal-Mart, where a temporary employee was trampled to death by bargain-hunters who didn't so much as slow down while rescue workers tried to save the man's life. Not so savage a scene at a Dallas Best Buy, where the Associated Press set up shop to meet and greet the deal-seekers, at least one of whom had camped out for 23 hours to save a few bucks. Ah, tradition. --Robert Wilonsky

As I mentioned earlier, Ed Bark has retreived from the Wayback Machine this Thanksgiving must-see, which comes courtesy some YouTuber named "turkeybowler," who rolled this strike back in June. As we're trying to hustle out most of next week's issue in advance of some holiday tomorrow, seems only fitting that, given this item from earlier today, we leave you with this fond memory. Love ya, pal. --Robert Wilonsky

  Update: Toots was indeed correct in the comments -- and, after the jump, the proof: Norm Hitzges (and George Bush) on Keith Olbermann last night.

Richie mentioned it this morning, but it's worth repeating this afternoon if you're searching for one-of-a-kind Cowboys collectibles for those on your holiday wish list. Beginning today through December 6, the Dallas Cowboys are auctioning off damned near the entire contents of Texas Stadium, including every last locker, sign, turnstile, sideline star, therapeutic hot tub, door, painting, light fixture, red phone and urinal.

Seriously, you could spend an entire afternoon browsing the selection ready for your collection. If you've got time to kill this p.m., just imagine how nifty the parking lot welcome awning would look over your driveway or "the gate to your ranch," among the suggestions offered for those considering topping the opening bid of $1,000 at last look. And, yes, you can buy Tony Romo's locker, which opens at $3,000 and has no takers as of yet. But keep in mind: "Features locker and name plate only and does not include contents." --Robert Wilonsky

In case you were wondering when and where the Etsy Dallas Jingle Bash was taking place, well, wonder no more. --Robert Wilonsky

Thankyouthankyou, Kevin Krause, for pointing out the fund-raising item that will allow us to take care of all our Christmas shopping needs -- and at only $24.95 a pop, no less! And for those who aren't rushing to buy their very own "lifelike, miniature version of John Wiley Price," be warned: The bobble head, hand-painted and made from "quality polyresin," is "a limited edition" collectible. So act now, lest your holiday dreams disappear down "a theoretical region of space in which the gravitational field is so powerful that nothing, not even electromagnetic radiation (e.g. visible light), can escape its pull after having fallen past its event horizon." No, wait, that's not right. Jump for the life-size photo! --Robert Wilonsky

Good Friend of Unfair Park William O. Holston Jr. sends his fellow Park-ers a sneak peek at his commentary scheduled to air tomorrow morning on KERA-FM (90.1). The title: "Fourth of July & Freedom." 'Preciate it, Bill. --Robert Wilonsky