Dallas Mayor Laura Miller has decided not to run for re-election next May. She has sighted a desire to spend more time with her children as her reason for leaving City Hall. I think many of you, especially citizens of Dallas, would like to join me as I push back my seat, stand to my feet, look towards the east and say: Good Riddance!!! I personally look at Laura Miller - the woman - and think that it's a shame that someone who is so obviously intelligent, can be so politically inept. Mayor Miller was extremely unpopular in Southern Dallas. The South single handedly defeated the strong-mayor propositions to spite Miller, and to ensure that she would never wield increased political power. Politicians, like athletes, are judged by wins and losses. Therefore, Mayor Miller's term at this time must be viewed as a failure. The scorecard reads as such: WINS Love Field deal with Ft. Worth Getting Police Chief Terrell Bolton Fired Pushing out Ted Benevides, City Manager LOSSES Dallas Cowboys stadium Strong Mayor Initiative Stronger Mayor Initiative 2003 Bond Packet 2006 Bond Proposal Land Swap/Tax Deal with Ray Hunt Much of this is about perception. Mayor Miller is perceived ...

I had an interesting conversation in Houston on Monday. A sister approached me to sign a petition that was floating for the Children's Defense Fund. When she saw that I was from Dallas, she mentioned that she had visited our city a few weeks prior. The young lady went on to tell me how much she enjoyed her visit, but identified one particular destination as the highlight of the trip. "My sister took me to Brooklyn," the young lady exclaimed, "and I loved it." Brooklyn Jazz Cafe is not only a nice place for locals, but has solved a dilemma I have faced for a number of years: Where do I take my friends when they visit from out of town? With this being a black owned business, the decision is now much easier when deciding on a dinner spot. In our conversation, the young lady in Houston outlined 3 qualities that she enjoyed and that I feel have made Brooklyn so popular, even through its transition from Bishop Arts District to the Cedars (Southside). Those attributes can be summed up by the following: Atmosphere I began visiting Brooklyn soon after they moved into Oak Cliff. It did not ...

Congratulations to DeSoto for being named an All-American City by the National Civic League. Some of my DeSoto brothers had already asked where the love was at. MORE ESSENCE MUSINGS Strangest Non-Bobby Brown Concert Moment Jamie Foxx near the end of his 45-min set inexplicably knocked over his mike stand and dropped his microphone, catching both before they hit the floor. He was so tickled, he pretty much laughed through the rest of his song, and right off the stage. Most Gracious Celebrity: Mo'Nique Mo'Nique took pictures and signed autographs for fans long after her scheduled time in the Reliant Center. Celeb with the biggest ego: Shemar Moore Who else would it be? Most Welcomed Sight: High Profile Baptist Pastors showing much love as they introduced Minister Louis Farrakhan before his address on Monday afternoon. Old School Rappers who didn't look old: MC Lyte/YoYo Both holding it down, Lyte in her 3rd decade of rhyming. 1st Place to give you a COMPLETE Essence Festival Update: Dallas South Blog!!!!!!!

    This year's Essence Festival was definately a different experience than those held in New Orleans; the topic was on everyone's lips. But I believe there was more substance to the event held in Houston, than those of New Orleans. The so called "Party With A Purpose," was short on party and high on purpose. In contrast with the Crescent City where the party comes to you, one had to go looking for a party in the Bayou City. With the concerts and seminars all at Reliant Park, we never left a small stretch of I-610 and Hwy. 288. The main deliverable to come from this year's festival was the launch of Essence Cares "A Call to Action to Heal Our Youth." At the Saturday Night concert, Essence Editorial Director Susan Taylor and the Essence Staff introduced the initiative that calls for the community to help reverse the negative trends that are plaguing our African-American Youth. A moving video featuring admonitions from the likes of Harry Belefonte, Oprah Winfrey, Terrence Howard, Spike Lee, Mariah Carey (yes Mariah Carey) encouraged black folks to grab hold of a child, involve themselves in the political process, and the shaping of public policy. Finally, Ms. Taylor ...