G.R.i.D. (Get Rich in Dallas)

Should be either or both of these.

and/or

Nuff said.

I was thinking about the whole Deep Ellum Dead thing the other day. On DCTV, a show was discussing the DART railway heading into Deep Ellum and what it could mean. It occurred to me that maybe before getting up in arms about the whole sitation, maybe we should wait to see the affect the rail will have. I can’t imagine a negative impact the rail itself would have. More people coming down, less parking hassles, etc. I dunno, but some people are going to talk about it next week and everyone’s invited. The Deep Ellum Resident’s Council just sent along this notice:

Please join us for an informational meeting regarding the new DART Rail Green Line project to be constructed in your area. The purpose of this meeting is to provide all interested parties with an update on the construction progress and to address questions from the Southeast Corridor community.

At this meeting, DART will:
-Provide information regarding the overall Southeast Corridor project and discuss the stations that will serve the Green Line community
-Discuss the construction sequence and project timeline
-Emphasize construction safety for all

Representatives from DART, The City of Dallas and the Texas Department of Transportation will be on hand. We’d love to have your participation at this meeting. Together we can cultivate the seeds of progress. For more information contact:

Willene Watson
DART Community Affairs & Member City Relations
Serving: Dallas, Garland & Glenn Heights
214-749-2598 voice mail
214-749-3466 fax
wwatson@dart.org

Please rsvp by email to: giannamadrini@deepellumhome.com

I’m such a sucker for dogs who need a home. Makes me sad to think they are willing to love unconditionally but have no one to give it to.This is from my friend Dan who is in desperate search of a home for this beautiful dog. I hear he’s quite the sweet-natured one but was unfortunately abandoned. Drama there that I won’t get into. So if you have a home or know of one or just want  more informaton, send Dan the Man a myspace message. Provided you don’t get sea sick from his page.

Especially after a semi-crummy day.

The J.E.T.

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Thanks to Stevallica.

Metro Grill is gonna be out at the Deep Ellum Arts Fest that’s just around the corner and they need some help. Could his be you?

Mark Kelcher
mark@metro-grill.com

• Caremark
• Credit Management Assoc
• Ernst & Young
• Raytheon
• Bank of America
• Citigroup
• Nortel
• Pinnacle Tech Resources
• University of Phoenix
• VHA
• Pitney Bowes
• GLBT Chamber
• Home Depot
• Caven Enterprises, Inc.
• Resource Center of Dallas
• Chipotle
• Countrywide Homes
• Masters Realtors
• Kelly Services
• Kroger Foods
• Radisson Hotel Dallas Love Field
• and more..

“We are proud to build on the success from our first job expo last Spring,” said Mike McKay. “It’s a winning combination for everyone - GLBT candidates with a variety of skills and talents talking with businesses who are looking for a competent and diverse work force.”

The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Job Expo provides the greater Dallas-Fort Worth business sector the opportunity to tap into the excellent talent pool within the GLBT community, said Sherry Briggs, of the GLBT Chamber of Commerce.

Last week I posted an item about The Mustang Bar and Grill offering an alternative night out in Plano. My problem with it was the ad they placed in the Dallas Voice which, I feel, tries to come off subtle about being a gay event by using vague terminology. Since when is gay an alternative? That’s like saying it’s a choice. And don’t get me started on the title of Secret Sundays again. Just go read the posting so I don’t get angry again.

But I do give props to Francisco Castillo who responded to my dismay of the event defending his creation. Whilst you can read the comment after the posting, I felt it wise to repost here with running commentary.

Hello,

I put this event together so I feel I should respond. To be honest, I’m not really sure what your issue is. You’re slamming an event that you’ve never attended or called to inquire about. You’re basing your comments on an ad and not much more. But I’m not here to argue with you. I am writing to clarify a few things.

This is true and I try not to prejudge anything but when I get the feeling you’re scared to be upfront, then my confidence isn’t high going in.

The name Secret Sundays is just that…a name. We’re hosting a gay and lesbian mixer in Plano. That’s it. It’s just a sexy name. And if we’re not being overtly gay, it’s only out of respect for the conservative nature of the area. Plano is not like Oak Lawn and we must respect the gays and lesbians who choose to live here.

So thus I must assume that the LGBT community of Plano is not out. By that generalization, then are you really respecting that community? What I hear is more like you’re ‘respecting’ and pandering to what you deem is the conservative nature. Plano is not Oak Lawn. Oak Lawn is not Plano but am I to understand that Plano is essentially homophobic and such events need to be hushed and hidden?

This Mustang is also a diverse venue and we’re not embarrassed to say it. Did you know The Mustang also hosts an African-American night every Thursday? Our club night attracts 400-500 African-Americans every week. Our place is furthest north you will find any type of event catering to the Dallas Black crowd. The same can be said for our weekly gay and lesbian mixer.

And by the way, Plano is not too far if you live in Frisco, Plano, Carrollton or The Colony. Secret Sundays is meant to appeal to those people. Of course, you are free to drive in from all parts of Dallas. I invite you to attend next Sunday and see for yourself.

Plano is far for me. But so is anything past Northwest Highway and 75 from my small flat in East Dallas. My point is that terminology and presentation is crucial to the identity of the community. To imply that it’s a hidden or Secret population, first of all suggests exclusion and second, promotes separation. I truly applaud your efforts in promoting an event that appeals to the LGBT community outside of the normal gathering spots. It is these endeavors that allow such communities to grow and let others see that they are indeed everywhere and not boxed all in Oak Lawn. All I ask is for you to look at the ad again and think about what it does say and what it doesn’t. Does it reflect a prideful nature or a hidden one? And which side are you on?

Thank you for your response.

–Rich

Other than the PBJ sandwich you can have at home, head over to the Expo Park Cafe for their Tuesday special. Every Tuesday from 5-11pm, all food on their menu is half. Did you hear that? HALF OFF. I can’t recall if they serve breakfast all day but I highly recommend selections from that side of the menu. Chicken and waffles are a knockout and my friend swears by their grits. You should hear him. Awwwwkward. But if you’re not in the mood for breakfast, their blue cheese stuffed burger is a must and their chips and spicy Mediterranean queso are graced by heaven. Grrr…now I’m all hungry but I just had a PB & J.

My only problem with Expo Park is the service. Argh, I wish I could remember her name but one server is amazing. Kim? Can’t recall but she’s on top of it and friendly and everything a server should be. Others I’ve had left me waiting too long for items. And while I can appreciate their need to be a neighborhood type place, I really wish they’d control the drunks and homeless people who stroll on in asking patrons for their food and then placing their feet ON the table displaying their shoes for the manager who was unbelievably curious about them. That happened to me St. Patricks Day. No apologies came my way at all. Oh, did I mention it had been months before since I had been there because we get there after hours at one, didn’t get served till two and didn’t get our check till four. A mere comment about the service was received with a pleasant “Give our waitress a break. We’re short handed.” That was by Troy the owner. Sorry bub. Being from a restauranting family, YOU should have contributed to the service and comped my meal.

Bitter much? Only when I think about it. Just keep that in mind. Otherwise, if you can avoid all that, the food is exquisite. Great art on the wall too.

Well, I don’t really know about that but I guess it could be a start. CORE Dallas, a local publication that describes itself as “a unique and irreverent publication that looks at the people and places that make up the CORE of Dallas,” is seeking a personal assistant. For whom, I don’t know. I can’t even quite tell how big the staff is or if they even have one. They seem to have columnists though.

Still not really sure what’s the deal with this mag. They are on issue eight but I’ve never seen them around town. And their website is pretty bare bones. April marks their re-launch party so maybe after the that, a little more clarity will surface. Do I get an invite?

Curious about the job? Here are the requirements:

Prefer female and very boring, non-drinker, non-smoker and reliable. Must have good transportation. Cannot be bitter or man-hating complainer. No crying.

At least 30wpm, good organizational skills, fast thinker, good sense of humor (but still boring) and must not have bad breath or wear patchouli oil. Must be tolerant of reptiles. Must be willing to work in my office or home. Students are fine but only if you aren’t a party person. Send your qualifications to COREDallas@coredallas.com and we’ll talk about money.

Don’t know where boring, man-hating, bitterness comes in unless it takes away from a certain someone but if you meet these criteria and willing to subject yourself to already more judgment, than email them stat.

And CORE, if you pay high dollar for freelance….call me.

…it would be here. I’m a bit tired so I just feel like hanging in. I’m most curious, however, about Jacob Ide. I love his songs on his myspace page and am curious about his latest bulletins regarding his merchandise, “I’ll be bringing some of my new FIGHT HOMOPHOBIA shirts tonight. Seriously, they’re great.”

So…if you go, tell me about it and pick me up a shirt. I’ll pay ya back. Sigh…workouts are going strong but my extra padding isn’t leaving as fast as I’d like. So an xl should be a safe bet.