Archive for the ‘Fort Worth’ Category

From WFAA.com:

Larry Hagman was reluctant to be on a new TV show called “Dallas” when he first read the script in the late 1970s, figuring there wouldn’t be any money in it.

But his wife persuaded him to give the role of conniving oil baron and cattle rancher J.R. Ewing a shot, saying they could “renegotiate” and that the job might pay off.

It did, eventually earning Hagman a reported $100,000 or more per episode. And now fans from across the world are paying as much as $1,000 apiece to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the debut of what became one of the most popular prime-time soap operas in TV history.

“People are crazy,” Hagman said Thursday. “I guess it’s a TV show people identify with.”

On Nov. 8, J.R., Bobby, Sue Ellen and other Ewing kin will mark the anniversary with a reunion and barbecue at Southfork Ranch. Viewed panoramically in the show’s introduction, the ranch is in the Dallas suburb of Parker, about 25 miles north of the flashy downtown skyscrapers also featured in the opening scenes.

Fans from Japan, Australia, Europe and across the United States have plunked down anywhere from $100 to $1,000 for the tickets. The more one pays, the greater one gains access to cast members including Hagman, Linda Gray and Patrick Duffy.

“This thing is going to be a lot of fun,” said the 77-year-old Hagman, seated in the formal living room of the Southfork mansion, a trademark cowboy hat on his head. “It’s the first one we’ve ever done with fans. They’re coming from everywhere.”

Along with the barbecue, there will be country music, dancing, fireworks and a laser light show.

“This is a chance to live like and be a Ewing for a day,” said Jason Hardison, the event’s executive producer. “We’re going to celebrate the excess and success of the 1980s, at least the oil boom, and the money that surrounded Dallas.”

Given the various story lines and characters in each hourlong episode, Hagman said he saw Dallas as more of a cartoon and “had fun with it.”

Hagman, who grew up in Weatherford, west of Fort Worth, said he patterned J.R.’s twang, persona and family views after a businessman he worked for in high school who supplied oil drilling equipment.

But those close to Hagman say he’s the antithesis of the scheming, arrogant head of the wealthy but dysfunctional Ewing clan.

Hagman, a former vegetarian and outspoken nonsmoker who gave up alcohol after his 1995 liver transplant, is now an avocado farmer. He and Maj (pronounced MY), his wife of nearly 54 years, rise with the sun and are often asleep by 7:30 p.m.

Their 44-acre spread in Ojai, Calif., is all-organic. Their home runs on solar power, which Hagman said knocked their electric bill from $40,000 a year to $13.

He remains close to a few “Dallas” cast members, hunting and fishing with Duffy, aka brother Bobby, each month. And he and Maj often dine with Gray, who played his trophy wife on the show.

Maj Hagman recalled that when her husband first got the “Dallas” script, he was out of work. The couple were in New York, where Hagman’s mom, actress Mary Martin, was doing a show with Ethel Merman.

He was busy reading a script for a half-hour comedy while Maj reviewed the “Dallas” proposal.

“Woo! Larry, this is it!” she shouted. “There’s not one redeeming character in the whole show.”

She said it was right down his alley.

“But Maj,” he replied. “The money is terrible.”

She said: “We’ll renegotiate.”

After the “Who shot J.R.?” cliffhanger that concluded the 1980 season, when it was unclear whether J.R. would live, Hagman bargained hard with producers and landed a huge raise.

“That’s chutzpah,” Hagman said, explaining that the writers could have easily killed off his character. “But I made millions and they made billions. Everybody did well.”

Today, Hagman said the question people most often ask him as a conversation opener is, “Who shot you, J.R.?”

When he tells them it was Bing Crosby’s daughter, Mary, who played his sister-in-law and pregnant mistress on the show, they say, who is Bing Crosby?

“It’s a different generation,” Hagman said.

Parker County Peach Festival
Saturday, July 12, 2008
8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Location: Historic Downtown Square
Weatherford, Texas

Weatherford hosts the 2008 Annual Peach Festival on Saturday, July 12th. This year’s festival features more than 200 arts and crafts vendors. Come to the Peach Festival in Weatherford’s historic downtown, from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.

You will find a children’s area, a food court, non-stop entertainment, and of course sweet, juicy Parker County Peaches.

Beat the heat with Peachy treats of all kinds - Peach ice cream, Peach juleps, Peach smoothies, Peach cobbler, Peach jams, and just plain ol’ Peaches to bite and let the juice run down your chin.

Admission is $5 for adults and FREE for children 12 and under. There will be free parking from the Ninth Grade Center (1007 S. Main St.) Exit 408, Weatherford College (225 College Park Dr) Exit 409, and the First Monday Grounds (100 Block Santa Fe) Exit 409. Free Shuttle services are available from these sites as well. Free handicap parking and handicap shuttle from Weatherford Ninth Grade Center.

The Peach Pedal Bike Ride is on July 14th. Visit www.peachpedal.com for more information. Call the Weatherford Chamber of Commerce for more information: Toll Free 1-888-594-3801.

Miley Cyrus and her alter ego, Hannah Montana, perform tonite at the Ft. Worth Convention Center.

It is the first sell-out concert at the Center since 2000 and the FW Police are ramping up to prepare with the onslaught of people hitting downtown just as rush hour is happening.

While there is a parking garage adjacent to the Center, it only has 700 spaces which is about one-tenth of what is needed! Downtown will be flooded with people trying to find parking spaces (for those heading there be cautious where you park as the tow trucks will be out in force). If you are driving, leave early so you have ample time to get yourself situated.

The best idea is to take the train as there are 2 stops close to the Center.

For those picking up tix at Will Call, the box opens only 2 hours beforehand so be prepared for lines for that as well.

There’s a new email list for the Dallas GLBT community at www.GayListDaily.com.

Here is the posting from today’s blast:

Weekend Calendar

Twilight of the Golds
Opens Friday, September 28
If your parents knew everything about you before you were born, would you be here? Uptown Players lend their award-winning talents to this tear-jerker about what might happen if genetic testing can predict the sexual orientation of an unborn child.
KD Studio Theatre, Tickets $22-25
www.uptownplayers.org

Ten Tenors
Saturday, September 29
Ten gorgeous voices singing as one. If the 1-in-10 rule holds true, the man of our dreams may be singing sweetly to us!
Nokia Theatre, Tickets $29-49
www.nokialivedfw.com

Lone Star AIDS Ride
Saturday & Sunday, Sept 29-30
Break out your “Biker short butts drive me nuts” t-shirt and cheer on hundreds of Spandex-clad hotties as they ride off into the sunset, all in support of North Texas AIDS charities.
Check out LoneStarRide.org for details

Southwest Invitation DanceSport Championships
Friday – Sunday, Sept 28-30
Can’t get enough “Dancing with the Stars?” Neither can we. We’re absolutely giddy for the fabulously tacky Britney-on-a-bad-day frocks and grinded-teeth permasmiles…and the skin-tight pants and pelvic gyrations are enough to make us swoon!
Hilton Dallas Lincoln Center, Tickets $10-40
www.southwesterninvitational.com

The Lion King
Begins Sunday, September 28
Calling all queens, the king is here. If you missed gay pride, you can still get tickets to see this pride of lions and other Tony-award winning beasties as they strut their stuff at the Music Hall at Fair Park.
Musical Hall at Fair Park, Tickets $29-72
www.dallassummermusicals.org

Bill Cosby @ Bass Hall
Sunday, September 30
Paging Dr. Huxtable, we have a fashion fatality – someone is wearing one of your 80’s Christmas sweaters. Everybody’s favorite sitcom father figure comes to Fort Worth for a one-night gig. Sorry, Jell-O pudding pops not included in ticket price.
Bass Hall in Fort Worth, Tickets $40-60
www.basshall.com

Several several years after Dallas set the example, today the Fort Worth City Council approved extending restrictions on public smoking.

However, council members cut some slack for bars and bingo parlors.

This vote ends a year-long discussion with debate and study which gave the members the ability to further water down the ordinance or to completely ban smoking in all public places.

Time is running out to go see the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History’s Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination exhibit. The show opened its doors on June 9th and ends on September 3rd.

Me and a buddy paid a visit to the museum last month. The displays of props, ships, and costumes were just amazing. I was impressed by both the artistry and the craft. Big time cool factor.

That said, the exhibit represents a link between the fanciful world of Star Wars and the hard reality of science.

Ummm… yeah.

The link’s a bit dubious at best. There are a number of hands-on science exhibits for the kidsters to enjoy. I observed a lot of kids having a big time doing just that. But let’s face it, Star Wars is pure fantasy and this show is all about the flippin’ cool space ships. Ain’t no science in Star Wars.

I forgive the show this conceit because everything else about it was so hella cool.

The annual “Dallas Dines Out” week-long event has begun!

Take advantage of amazing menus for only $35 per person with $7 of each meal benefiting the North Texas Food Bank or Lena Pope Home.

Participating restaurants include:

2900*
2900 Thomas Ave., Dallas
214.303.0400

III Forks
17776 Dallas Parkway, Dallas
972.267.1776

Abacus*
4511 McKinney Ave., Dallas
214.559.3111

Addison Café French Bistro
5290 Belt Line Rd., Ste. 108, Dallas
972.991.8824

Adelmo’s*
4537 Cole Ave, Dallas
214.559.0325

Al Biernat’s
4217 Oak Lawn Ave., Dallas
214.219.2201

Ama Lur
1501 Gaylord Trail, Grapevine
817.778.2215

Andiamo Italian Bar & Grill*
4151 Beltline Rd., Addison
972.233.1515

Arcodoro Pomodoro*
2708 Routh St., Dallas
214.871.1924

Arthur’s Prime Steaks & Seafood
5175 Quorum Dr., Addison
972.385.0800

Avanti Euro Bistro
5001 Addison Circle, Addison
972.386.7800

Avanti Ristorante
2720 McKinney Ave., Dallas
214.871.4955

Bijoux*
5450 W. Lovers Lane #225, Dallas
214.350.6100

Bistro Louise*
2900 South Hulen St., #40, Fort Worth
817.922.9244

Bonnell’s Fine Texas Cuisine
4259 Bryant Irvin Rd, Fort Worth
817.738.5489

Cacharel Restaurant
2221 E. Lamar Blvd., Arlington
817.640.9981

The Cape*
2704 Worthington St., Dallas
214.720.9010

The Capital Grille
500 Crescent Ct., Ste. 135, Dallas
214.303.0500

Chamberlain’s Fish Market Grill*
4525 Beltline Rd., Addison
972.503.3474

Chamberlain’s Steak & Chop House*
5330 Beltline Rd., Dallas
972.934.2467

Chaparral Restaurant*- Adam’s Mark Hotel
400 N. Olive St., Dallas
214.777.6539

Craft - W Hotel
2440 Victory Park Lane, Dallas
214.397.4111

The Crescent Club
200 Crescent Ct., 17th Floor, Dallas
214.953.4343

Crú -A Wine Bar*-West Village
3699 McKinney Ave., Ste. 107, Dallas
214.526.9463

Crú -A Wine Bar*
7201 Bishop Rd, Ste. E2, Plano
972.312.9463

Dakota’s Steakhouse
600 North Akard, Dallas
214.740.4001

Dallas Fish Market*
1501 Main St., Dallas
214.744.3474

Daniele Osteria
3300 Oak Lawn, #110, Dallas
214.443.9420

Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steak House
5251 Spring Valley Rd, Dallas
972.490.9000

Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steak House
812 Main St., Fort Worth
817.877.3999

Dragonfly*- Hotel Zaza
2332 Leonard St., Dallas
214.550.9500

duce
6333 Camp Bowie Blvd, Ste 240, Fort Worth
817.377.4400

Ferré Ristorante*- West Village
3699 McKinney Ave., Ste. 106, Dallas
214.522.3888

Ferré Ristorante*
215 East 4th St., Fort Worth
817.332.0033

Fuse Restaurant and Lounge*
1512 Commerce St., Dallas
214.742.3873

Go Fish*
4950 Beltline Rd., Ste 190, Addison
972.980.1919

Goodnight Loving Steakhouse*
1917 Martin Dr., Weatherford
817.341.9100

The Grape*
2808 Greenville Ave., Dallas
214.828.1981

The Grill on the Alley*– Galleria
13270 Dallas Pkwy, Dallas
214.459.1601

The Grotto*
2300 Highland Village Rd. #500, Highland Vlg
972.318.0515

H3 Ranch
109 E Exchange, Fort Worth
817.624.1246

Hattie’s Restaurant*
418 N. Bishop Ave., Dallas
214.942.7400

Hector’s on Henderson*
2929 North Henderson Ave., Dallas
214.821.0432

Hibiscus
2927 N Henderson Ave, Dallas
214.827.2927

il Sole Restaurant*
4514 Travis St., Ste. 201, Dallas
214.559.3888

In Restaurant*
7709 Inwood Rd., Dallas
214.358.1100

Isabella’s Restaurant*
1279 Legacy Dr., Frisco
214.618.3384

Jasper’s Restaurant*
7161 Bishop Rd., Ste. G1, Plano
469-229-9111

Kenichi*
2400 Victory Park Lane, Dallas
214.871.8883

Kenny’s Wood Fired Grill*
5000 Beltline Rd #775, Dallas
972.392.9663

Kirby’s Steakhouse*
3525 Greenville Ave., Dallas
214.821.2122

Kirby’s Steakhouse*
3408 Preston Rd., Plano
972.867.2122

Kirby’s Steakhouse*
3305 E. Highway 114, Southlake
817.410.2221

Kitchen 1924*
1924 Abrams Rd., Dallas
214.821.1924

La Cima Club
5215 N. O’Connor Rd., Ste. 2600, Irving
972.869.2266

The Landmark Restaurant* - Melrose Hotel
3015 Oak Lawn Ave., Dallas
214.224.3152

Lanny’s Alta Cocina Mexicana
3405 West 7th St., Fort Worth
817.850.9996

Lavendou*
19009 Preston Rd., Ste. 200, Dallas
972.248.1911

Lawry’s The Prime Rib
14655 Dallas Parkway, Dallas
972.503.6688

Le Rendezvous
5934 Royal Ln. Ste. 120, Dallas
214.987.4900

Lonesome Dove Western Bistro
2406 N. Main St., Fort Worth
817.740.8810

Luqa*
1217 Main St., Dallas
214.760.9000

McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood*
307 NorthPark Center, Dallas
214.891.0100

Mercury Chop House
301 Main St., Sundance Square, Fort Worth
817.336.4129

The Mercury Grill*
11909 Preston Rd., Dallas
972.960.7774

Mi Piaci*
14854 Montfort Rd., Dallas
972.934.8424

Nana - Hilton Anatole
2201 Stemmons Fwy, Dallas
214.761.7470
For Reservations – Click Here

Newport Seafood & Steak*
703 McKinney Ave #101, Dallas
214.954.0220

Nick & Sam’s Steakhouse
3008 Maple Ave., Dallas
214.871.7444

Nicola’s*
5800 Legacy Dr., Plano
972.608.4430

N9NE Steakhouse
3090 Olive St., Ste. 110, Dallas
214.720.9901

Nobu
400 Crescent Ct., Dallas
214.252.7000

NOVE Italiano
3090 Olive Street, Ste. 130, Dallas
214.720.9903

Oceanaire Seafood Room* - Westin Galleria
13340 Dallas Parkway, Ste 1300, Dallas
972.759.2277

Olea*
5809 Preston Rd #578, Plano
972.378.0203

Olenjack’s Grille*
770 Road to Six Flags E., Arlington
817.226.2600

The Palm Restaurant*
701 Ross Ave., Dallas
214.698.0470

Palomino Restaurant
500 Crescent Ct., Ste. 165, Dallas
214.999.1222

Pappas Bros. Steakhouse*
10477 Lombardy Ln., Dallas
214.366.2000

Park Cities Prime
8411 Preston #132, Dallas
214.691.7763

Parlour Café & Wine Bar*
3610 Shire Blvd., Ste.112, Richardson
972.423.9463

Perry’s Restaurant
2911 Routh St., Dallas
214.871.9991

Piccolo Mondo Italian Restaurant
829 East Lamar Blvd., Arlington
817.265.9174

Piola*
3700 Mattison Ave., Fort Worth
817.205.6773

Popolos Café
5959 Royal Ln. #707, Dallas
214.692.5497

The Pyramid Grill* - Fairmont Hotel
1717 North Akard St., Dallas
214.720.5249

Rafain Brazilian Steakhouse
18010 Dallas Pkwy., Dallas
972.733.1110

Reata Restaurant
310 Houston St., Fort Worth
817.336.1009

Riccardi’s*
2800 Routh St #115, Dallas
214.303.0881

Rouge*
5027 W. Lovers Lane, Dallas
214.350.6600

Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse
17840 Dallas Pkwy., Dallas
972.250.2244

Sambuca*
2120 McKinney Ave., Dallas
214.744.0820

Shinsei
7713 Inwood Road, Dallas
214.352.0005

Silver Fox Steakhouse
3102 Oak Lawn Ave., Ste. 144, Dallas
214.559.2442

Silver Fox Steakhouse
1651 S. University Dr., Fort Worth
817.332.9060

Silver Fox Steakhouse
1303 Legacy Dr., Frisco
214.618.5220

Silver Fox Steakhouse
1235 William D. Tate, Grapevine
817.329.6995

Silver Fox Steakhouse
3650 Shire Blvd., Richardson
972.423.8121

St. Martin’s Wine Bistro*
3020 Greenville Ave., Dallas
214.826.0940

Steel Restaurant*
3102 Oak Lawn Ave., Ste. 100, Dallas
214.219.9908

Stephan Pyles*
1807 Ross Ave., Ste. 200, Dallas
214.580.7000

Steve Fields’ Steak & Lobster Lounge*
5013 W. Park Blvd., Plano
972.596.7100

Sullivan’s Steakhouse*
17795 N. Dallas Pkwy., Dallas
972.267.9393

“Suze” Restaurant*
4345 W. Northwest Hwy., Ste. 270, Dallas
214.350.6135

Texas de Brazil
15101 Addison Rd., Addison
972.385.1000

Texas de Brazil
2727 Cedar Springs Rd., Dallas
214.720.1414

Texas de Brazil
101 N. Houston St., Fort Worth
817.882.9500

Tower Club*
1601 Elm St 48th Floor, Dallas
214.220.0403

Tramontana*
8220 Westchester, Dallas
214.368.4188

Trece*
4513 Travis St., Dallas
214.780.1900

Truluck’s Seafood, Steak, & Crabhouse*
5001 Beltline Rd., Addison
972.503.3079

Truluck’s Seafood, Steak, & Crabhouse*
2401 McKinney Ave., Dallas
214.220.2401

Truluck’s Seafood, Steak, & Crabhouse*
1420 Plaza Place, Southlake
817.912.0500

Tucker*
3113 Ross Ave., Dallas
214.389.1313

Victory Tavern*
2501 N. Houston St., Ste. 400, Dallas
214.432.1900

Watel’s*
2207 Allen St., Dallas
214.720.0323

York Street*
6047 Lewis St., Dallas
214.826.0968