Dallas is My Home

01
Jul

Breweries Reportedly Consider Headquarters in Dallas

Author: Raine Devries, Category: Business, News

Days after AT&T announced it would move its corporate headquarters to Dallas, MillerCoors, the new venture launched by both long-time breweries, is now reportedly considering moving its base to Dallas as well.

Miller and Coors Brewing companies officially began operations today as a joint entity, a 50-50 partnership to share its U.S. and Puerto Rican facilities.

Tuesday, both the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported the new venture is considering Dallas and Chicago as potential new homes for a joint headquarters according to beer industry insiders.

Chicago and Dallas are both “neutral” cities compared to Coors’ Golden, Co. headquarters and Miller’s Milwaukee location, the papers reported.

Miller has brewed beer in Fort Worth since 1969.

The new headquarters would bring up to 100 jobs according to the published reports.

01
Jul

Dallas Commissioners Warn Sheriff To Stop Filming

Author: Raine Devries, Category: Crime, Gay & Lesbian, Media, News, Politics

The Dallas County Commissioners have issued a warning to Sheriff Lupe Valdez: stop all plans for documentary filming in the jail or face a legal injunction.

The Commissioners unanimously agreed to issue a temporary restraining order against the Sheriff and The Discovery Channel. The cable operation planned to film a documentary on the operation of the county jail.

At a Tuesday afternoon news conference, the sheriff stated that she conferred with her legal advisors and that the shooting was green lighted. She signed a contract without the approval of the Commissoners Court and, according to state law, she is within her rights to do so since the taping would not intefere with the public or the running of jail business.

Valdez has been under a firestorm of criticism regarding her running of the jails and she felt that Discovery’s shooting would help document the improvements that have happened on her watch. And to note, this is her first term and she’s Dallas’s first woman / lesbian sheriff who was elected under the landslide of Democratic appointees in the last elections.

Dallas County already faces legal fights regarding the condition of the jail and treatment of inmates. They have prohibited access to other entities and apparently had no knowledge of the documentary plans.

01
Jul

4th of July @ Fair Park

Author: Raine Devries, Category: Concerts, Downtown, Free, Freebie, Music, Outdoors

The happening place to be this Friday the 4th of July will be Fair Park.

Fireworks start around 9 p.m. and will be choreographed to music.

If you have access to a rooftop tune your radio to WRR Classical 101.1 FM to get the full experience or come out to the park and enjoy them up close with a concert from the Dallas Wind Symphony.

30
Jun

Motel 6 Adds Wi-Fi

Author: Raine Devries, Category: Business, News, Travel

Dallas area based Accor North America - who owns Motel 6 and Studio 6 - have completed installation of wireless, high-speed internet access at their hotels nationwide.

By contracting with Dallas-based AT&T to provide managed network services and Califronia hospitality telecommunications provider Teledex for Wi-Fi equipment, they fulfilled this much needed service.

In addition to the more than 600 corporate properties, almost 200 franchise properties have also made Wi-Fi available.

30
Jun

JC Penney Plans Fewer Stores in 2009

Author: Raine Devries, Category: Business, News, Shopping

Dallas based JC Penney department stores has opted to scale back their store-opening plans for 2009.

Initially, JCP expected to open 50 stores each year between now and 2011. Their 2009 plans now call for only 10-15 new stores.

30
Jun

Metromedia Restaurant Group Lists Select Bennigan’s

Author: Raine Devries, Category: Business, Food, News, Restaurants

Dallas area based Metromedia Restaurant Group owns Bennigan’s Grill & Tavern, Steak & Ale and Ponderosa.

They have quietly put 59 of their Florida restaurants up for sale or lease.

It appears that Bennigan’s will close all but 2 of their locations near Orlando due to too many similar dining establishments in the area.

30
Jun

Tony Romo In Talks for $10M Endorsement Deal

Author: Raine Devries, Category: Business, Dallas Cowboys, News, sports

Iconix Brand Group, parent company of Starter, is close to completing a 5-year deal with Dallas Cowboys quarterback, Tony Romo. This deal would make Romo the the highest paid athletic footwear and apparel endorser in the NFL.

According to various sources, Starter is interested in signing Romo because of his role with the high profile Cowboys (who share the blue & white star as their logo) and because of his high profile romantic life with female celebrities like Jessica Simpson.