Cross posted at Dallas nonprofit news organization DallasSouthNews.org On Saturday, South Dallas artist John Spriggins will open a new show just down the street from his work space.  Spriggins latest work “Paper Dolls” debuts at the South Dallas Cultural Center on October 24th and is a look at how media influence female self image. John Spriggins and one of his "dolls" Early this week I visited John at his studio as he prepared for the show and had a chance to look at some of the 20 images that make up “Paper Dolls.”  Spriggins drafted some of his female friends and acquaintances to pose for a work that offers his take on female sense of self and how self perception is developed. The idea came about as Spriggins and a cousin talked about what it’s like raising daughters in this day and age.  He looked at the images that females receive through various forms of media, but eventually settled on how magazines covers speak to women. If you look closely enough, you may catch that the poses and theme are a nod to the paper dolls that were popular in previous centuries, when little girls would cut out clothes on a sheet of ...

By Shawn Williams – Dallas South News Editor In a community meeting at the atrium of Southwest Center Mall on Monday night, the public was informed that after months in foreclosure, Southwest Center Mall has a new owner.  When Councilman Tennell Atkins and Mayor Tom Leppert opened the meeting of 150 plus citizens, they did so knowing that there would be blowback from the deal that they were about to announce. A representative from Madison Realty Capital, who had held the mall since it went into foreclosure, announced that they had formed a partnership with City View Commercial, who bought the inline properties at Southwest Center last Friday.  That means they have control of all the non big box stores (stores inside the mall that are not Sears, JC Penny, Burlington, Dillards, or Macy’s). SWC Mall Store Display Jack Friedler was there representing City View but the name that was on everyone’s lips was Jimmy Jazz.  City View is the real estate arm for the more than 80 U.S. retail stores that sell the Jimmy Jazz lines. About a month ago, word surfaced that an “urban retailer” had gotten in line to purchase the mall formally known as Red Bird.  Ms. Edna Pemberton and other ...

Dallas County Young Democrats (DCYD) and Dallas Stonewall Young Democrats (DSYD) Host Barbecue for National Day of Service Dallas (September 10) --- The Dallas County Young Democrats and Dallas Stonewall Young Democrats are honoring service men and women with the "Serving Those Who Serve Us" Barbecue, this upcoming Friday at the Thurgood Marshall Recreation Center. The event begins at 6:30 p.m. The Dallas County Young Democrats and Dallas Stonewall Young Democrats are partnering together to answer President Obama's call to service by honoring our service men and women on Sept. 11, the National Day of Service and Remembrance. President Obama started a national service initiative called "United We Serve”, this past June, aimed at encouraging Americans to volunteer to bring a greater level of visibility and responsibility for key social concerns. The intiative ends on Sept. 11 with a day of service. When: Sept. 11 (Friday), 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm Where: Thurgood Marshall Recreation Center 5150 Mark Trail Way, Dallas, TX 75232-1809 What: Food, games for all ages, prizes, fire truck tours, and more… Admission is free to all firefighters, police officers, military personnel, reservists and the families of our first responders. A minimum donation of $5 is ...

From DallasSouthNews.org Last night I moderated a Town Hall meeting hosted by Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson at Dallas City Hall regarding an Area Mail Processing (AMP) Feasibility Study conducted by the United States Post Office.  AMP Studies are taking place all across the country. Tim Vierling, Dallas Sr. Plant Manager, gave a presentation, and then took questions from the audience as well as myself.  Also involved in the conversation were Mayor Tom Leppert and State Senator Royce West. Senator West had some very pointed comments for Mr. Vierling and the Post Office, including the fact that his office had contacted USPS about this matter at least twice without a response.  He also referenced a previous AMP study done either late ‘06 or early ‘07. This latest AMP study apparently concludes that the Post Office will save $9.2 million annually by consolidating mail processing operations in Dallas with those at the North Texas facility located in Coppell.  I say apparently because no one outside of the Postal Service has seen this study.  Most of the savings will come from eliminating 117 jobs. The first document on the USPS website regarding the AMP is a brief dated March 24, 2009 which says the following regarding the study: If ...

The following is a response from District Attorney Craig Watkins regarding the Dallas Morning News Editorial “Watkins Needs to Investigate the Constables.” By Craig Watkins – Dallas County District Attorney In (Monday’s) editorial, “Watkins needs to investigate the constables,” the Dallas Morning News failed to print my actual comment and instead chose to write an editorial that would leave readers with the false impression that I am not doing my job.  When asked last week by the Dallas Morning News whether the district attorney’s office was investigating two Dallas County constables (Precincts 1 and 5), my response was the same response we always give when complaints are made against elected officials and other public servants.  I would neither confirm nor deny whether we are investigating this issue. To accuse me of “sitting on the sidelines” and suggest that I would allow alleged criminal activity to go unnoticed is disingenuous.  Just because I am not vetting my cases with the media and the court of public opinion, which I will never do, is hardly a reason to jump to the conclusion that I am not doing my job. There is a reason why the district attorney’s office has prosecutorial independence.  There is a reason ...

Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson will hold a townhall meeting on Monday August 24th regarding the Dallas Main Post Office and Distribution Center.  A few weeks ago we reacted here to rumors that the Dallas Main Post Office was closing. While rumors of the Post Office's demise were a bit exaggerated, the reality of moving a bulk of the center's operations away from Dallas Main is serious.  A study by the U.S. Postal Service recommended the transfer of mail processing operations from the Dallas Main Post Office to Coppell, TX. Those scheduled to speak at the meeting include: Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert The Honorable Royce West Mr. Tim Vierling, Senior Plant Manager Dallas Post Officee Congresswoman Johnson and her staff requested that I serve as moderator of the meeting that is sure to bring questions and concerns from residents, union members, government officials and the like.   The meeting will be held at Dallas City Hall - City Council Chambers and begin at 6:00 p.m. What: Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson Townhall on Postal Operations Date: Monday, August 24, 2009 Time: ...

Please note that the venue for Monday's healthcare forum has been changed to Cityplace Conference Center. On August 17, a local discussion will take place around proposed healthcare legislation that is making its way through both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives.  Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) and Rep. Pete Sessions (R-TX) will participate in the program being held at City Place Conference Center. Advance registration is required and space and parking are limited.  If you want to get in on the debate, you must register early to reserve your seat or risk letting other voices lead the discussion.  It's imperative that residents of Southern Dallas are present at this discussion, so register as soon as possible. Registration is free, so visit www.cttlegal.com or call 214-270-2403 and let them know how many slots you need.  You can also email lfigueroa@cttlegal.com.  The program is presented by Curran Tomko Tarski LLP, SMU Cox Executive Education, and Deloitte.  Register Now. For information regarding parking, click here. CHARTERING AMERICA’S HEALTH CARE FUTURE with Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) & Congressman Pete Sessions (R-TX) Monday, August 17th 7:30 – 11:00am Cityplace Conference Center 2711 N. Haskell Ave. #100 Dallas, TX 75204 7:30 - 8:30 a.m. Registration, Networking and Continental Breakfast 8:30 - 9:30 a.m. Congressional Dialogue and Discussion 9:30 - ...

Houston Mayor Bill White will be in Dallas for his first major voter outreach push this weekend.  On Friday July 31, White will participate in a panel discussion titled Urban Environmentalism: Sharing Sustainable Progress.  Laura Aune, Trade Commissioner, Canadian Cnsulate General - Dallas, is also scheduled to attend.  The event is being held outside the Progressive Center of Dallas at the Southside on Lamar View Southside On Lamar Bldg. in a larger map Democratic candidate White is campaigning for the soon to be vacated seat of Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison.  He is a former Deputy Secretary of Energy and has been designated one of the country's "Greenest Mayors." Friday, July 31, 2009 6:30PM - Urban Ecology Panel Progressive Center of Dallas, 1409 S. Lamar St., Dallas, 75215 Saturday, August 1st, 2009 Saturday, August 1st, 2009 at 8:00 AM Norma’s Café 1123 West Davis Street, Dallas, TX 75208 Saturday, August 1st, 2009 at 10:00 AM Eban Village Community Center 3023 Park Row Avenue, Dallas, TX 75215 Saturday, August 1st, 2009 at 12:30 PM La Madeleine French Bakery 3906 Lemmon Avenue Suite #110, Dallas, TX 75219 Saturday, August 1st, 2009 at 2:30 PM Martinez Restaurant 901 Gross Road, Mesquite, TX 75149 Saturday, August 1st, 2009 at 3:45 PM La Paloma Restaurant 3545 West Walnut, Garland, TX 75042 Saturday, August 1st, 2009 ...

On Saturday morning I was driving about town and by reflex, flipped the tuner over to Sports Radio 1310 The Ticket.  I was listening to the conclusion of the weekend show "The Ender" and noticed that Danny Balis had The Great Robert Wilonsky filling in for his normal partner Dave Lane. As the show was coming to a close, the subject turned to politics and the name Laura Miller came up.  Danny made the comment that Laura Miller's lasting legacy is allowing Cowboys Stadium to get away from Fair Park and be built in Arlington. Big Bob Wilonsky  immediately stopped Dan Paul in has tracks and uncomfortably (just as it is for me) defended Miller, or at least the perception that the Cowboys are in Arlington because of her.  Wilonsky said he felt the Cowboys had no real thoughts of moving to Dallas and gave the city and county an unrealistic deadline to decide on what would eventually be a $1.15 billion stadium. Two and a half years ago I wrote a post titled Blame Lincoln (not Miller) for Cotton Bowl Move.  In the post, I detailed why I felt that Laura Miller got a bad rap for the fact that the Cowboys ...