Posts by Dan Koller

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• • Dan Koller
  • Managing Editor
  • Though he's never lived in Oak Cliff, Dan has deep roots there. His mother grew up in Westmoreland Heights, where his grandmother still lives. His wife grew up in Winnetka Heights. His little brother spent five years crossing the Trinity for DISD's arts magnet programs at Sidney Lanier and Greiner. And his dad once owned and operated a Baskin-Robbins on Fort Worth Avenue.

• Adamson, Sunset Baseball Teams Schedule Playoffs

  Adamson (14-7) opens the Class 4A baseball playoffs against Woodrow Wilson (13-8) at 7 p.m. Thursday at Higgins Field. Game 2 will be played at 7 p.m. Friday at Randall Park. If necessary, Game 3 would follow at noon Saturday, also at Randall Park.

  Sunset (16-13) will face Rowlett (22-8) in the first round of the Class 5A playoffs. Rowlett will host Game 1 at 5 p.m. Thursday. Game 2 will be played at 7 p.m. Friday at Reverchon Park, as would a potential Game 3 at 1 p.m. Saturday.

  By Dan Koller May. 2, 2012 | 7:47 am | No Comments | Comments RSS

• Want to Vote in the May 29 Primaries? Register Today

  Today is the deadline to register to vote in the May 29 primaries.

  By Dan Koller Apr. 30, 2012 | 2:49 pm | No Comments | Comments RSS

• What Are District 33’s Top Issues?

  Many media outlets cover political campaigns solely by keeping track of which candidates have raised the most money. I’d prefer to focus on the issues. But in the campaign for the 33rd Congressional District, I don’t think there are any truly local issues; what’s “local” for Oak Cliff probably sounds foreign in Fort Worth or Arlington. So I plan to poll all of the candidates on a handful of national issues that are key to Democrats: same-sex marriage, abortion, Obamacare, etc. Am I missing anything? Are there issues that you’d prefer we focus on instead of those three?

  By Dan Koller Apr. 26, 2012 | 9:42 am | 3 Comments | Comments RSS

• Avengers to Assemble … at Texas Theatre?

  

  This image has Dan Koller feeling all tingly.

  I’m a big-time comic-book nerd. I know, I know — you’d never guess it by looking at me. But it’s true. So I’m really excited to see The Avengers. When I asked my lovely wife if she’d see it with me, she replied, “Only if we go someplace where I can get a margarita.” I thought that meant we’d be seeing it at the Magnolia or the Angelika. I never imagined the year’s biggest mainstream blockbuster would be shown at the Texas Theatre. But, sure enough, the screenings begin at midnight on May 3.

  By Dan Koller Apr. 25, 2012 | 3:54 pm | No Comments | Comments RSS

• Your Neighbors Want You to Meet Marc Veasey

  I got an invitation yesterday to meet state Rep. Marc Veasey, one of the 11 Democrats competing to represent the 33rd Congressional District. It was sent by Scott Chase, but it was signed by these folks:

  Diane & Corky Sherman
  Debra Witter & Scott Chase
  Lee Ruiz and Chris Barker
  Brian Stoltz and Anne Hagan
  Rob Yaquinto
  Petrine Abrahams
  Chris Culak

  These Oak Cliff residents write, “It’s important that we elect representatives like Marc, who will bring new economic opportunities to our communities, support President Obama, and make the necessary policy decisions to get us back on track.” They’ll host Veasey — and you, maybe — from 5:30 to 7 tomorrow at 509 N. Montclair Ave.

  If I can’t make it, do me a favor and ask the candidate a question that’s been nagging at the back of my brain. His bio on the Legislature’s website says his son is named Adam Clayton Veasey. Are the Veaseys huge fans of the U2 bassist, or is that just a coincidence?

  By Dan Koller Apr. 25, 2012 | 9:46 am | No Comments | Comments RSS

• Kidd Springs, Canyon on Council’s Agenda Today

  A couple of weeks ago, we reported that the Park and Recreation Board had approved a $41,000 contract for Linda Tycher to study how the trail, garden, and erosion control could be improved at Kidd Springs Park. Our story said the contract was still subject to approval by the City Council, but the contract has landed on the consent agenda for today’s council meeting. So, barring something unexpected, consider it approved.

  Also on the agenda for today is a public hearing on the expansion of Planned Development District 811, a.k.a. The Canyon in Oak Cliff, by 9.1 acres. When this went before the City Plan Commission, no letters in opposition were received and nobody showed up to speak against it. So, again, expect smooth sailing.

  By Dan Koller Apr. 25, 2012 | 6:33 am | No Comments | Comments RSS

• Hogg’s Shequita Miller is Up For Teacher of Year

  Shequita Miller, who teaches kindergarten at Hogg Elementary School in Kidd Springs, is a finalist for DISD’s Teacher of the Year award. The winner, who will be named May 7 at the Belo Mansion, will receive $5,000 courtesy of H-E-B. The finalists will each get $1,000. Miller’s competition includes Meshonda Cole, who teaches sixth-grade math at Kennedy-Curry Middle School; Cedric Jacobson, who teaches chemistry at Spruce High School; and Lauren Tims, who teaches eighth grade at the Alex W. Spence Talented and Gifted Academy.

  By Dan Koller Apr. 24, 2012 | 11:46 am | No Comments | Comments RSS

• Will Ivandell Lawn Ever Get Mowed?

  

  Dells District Neighborhood Association vice president Bryan Howell shows code-violation notices to Amanda Sanchez, the mayor's community outreach coordinator, at 3027 Ivandell Ave.

  Last Saturday, I had the privilege of tagging along as the leaders of the Dells District Neighborhood Association took Mayor Mike Rawlings on a brief tour of their neighborhood. The mayor spotted a grossly overgrown lawn at 3027 Ivandell Ave., and he asked his guides to pull over.

  After determining that the house had been abandoned, Rawlings asked two men sitting on the porch next door if they knew who owned it. Their reply was “the bank” — they couldn’t say which. (County records show it belongs to Jose Rangel, whose mailing address is a post office box in Laredo.) The mayor then took a $20 bill out of his pocket and told the men to find someone willing to mow the lawn for that price.

  Apparently, it’s hard to find a lawn guy who will work for $20. As of Wednesday morning, the lawn still looked a patch of Vietnam, and I’m betting not much has changed in the last 48 hours. The mayor needs to ask for his money back.

  Read more about Rawlings’ tour of the Dells District in this week’s edition of Oak Cliff People.

  By Dan Koller Apr. 20, 2012 | 11:44 am | 6 Comments | Comments RSS

• Windomere Porch to Get National Exposure

  In case you hadn’t noticed, chicken-loving reporter Joanna England has flown the coop to be with Cooper. That’s the name of her 8-month-old son. Joanna recently decided to be a stay-at-home mom, albeit a stay-at-home mom who still brings home the (vegetarian) bacon as a freelance writer. One of her new freelance gigs is with Candy’s Dirt, where she reported this week that Paul Muniz’s porch will be featured in Better Homes and Gardens.

  By Dan Koller Apr. 13, 2012 | 9:35 am | No Comments | Comments RSS

• There Are 11 Dems … No, 9 … Wait, 10

  There are so many Democrats seeking to represent the 33rd Congressional District, the moderator at last night’s forum had trouble keeping track of them all.

  Ten of the 11 Democrats whose names will appear on the May 29 ballot showed up last night. After nine of them introduced themselves, the emcee said, “Well, with the introductions out of the way,” and began to ask his first question. That’s when state Rep. Marc Veasey cleared his throat to make it known that one more introduction was necessary.

  Read more about the forum in this week’s edition of Oak Cliff People.

  By Dan Koller Apr. 10, 2012 | 9:11 am | No Comments | Comments RSS