Back Talk Far North Dallas

Around the web: Donating blood, the Yugo, Google and the flu, TV heroes

A regular roundup of stuff that wouldn't necessarily make it on the blog, but is worth noting:

• Had to come to this, given the state of the economy. I saw my first donating blood to make ends meet story, in the Chicago Tribune. Said one person at a plasma donation center: "Instead of sitting at home watching TV, I can spend a couple hours and make some extra gas money. Everything is hard, it's all getting more expensive: gas of course, just the cost of living."

• Those of us a certain age remember the Yugo, quite possibly the worst car ever made. It ended production recently, and to much fanfare. Apparently, in its native Serbia, the Yugo is still well-respected: "This is driving in its most natural form," said one enthusiast. "You feel every bump, squeak and jolt, and one can enjoy the sweet smell of gasoline and exhaust fumes. No car can replace it."

• Want to know if we're having a flu epidemic? Check with Google. Google.org, the search company’s philanthropic unit, says it has a tool that may be able to detect regional outbreaks of the flu 10 days before they're reported by the federal government. The tool tracks hits on flu-related web sites, figuring that someone who is sick will search Google for symptoms, cures, and the like.

• Ed Bark, local TV critic and blogger extraordinaire, rates the toughest TV heroes of all time. Gunsmoke's Matt Dillon is No. 1, which seems a bit high. I'd think NYPD Blue's Andy Sipowicz (No. 7) could take Matt just by sneering at him.

Back Talk’s final day on this site

Starting Monday, the blog’s home will be on our new website. So far, so good -- not too many problems, and we appreciate everyone reporting bugs, oddities, and the like. Please, let us know if something isn't working.

This site will be turned off after today. There will be no new posts, and you won't be able to make comments on previous posts. But you will be able to read old posts. After the jump, everything you need to know as we finalize the transition.

This weekend: Central Market cooking class, and the Labyrinth Theatre

If you want some last-minute pointers for basting that bird, sign up for one of the holiday cooking classes going on this weekend at the Central Market in our neighborhood. Or if you want to pass on the poultry this turkey day, you can learn some alternative recipes (like spicy tamales with pork and raisin stuffing).

And I know there is an unwritten law about celebrating Christmas before Thanksgiving—but if you live for this time of year, it’s a violation you’re comfortable with. If this speaks to you, swing by the Labyrinth theatre: It’s opening weekend for “Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol” (the classic tale told from a new perspective).

Back Talk is moving, Thursday edition

Frankly, I'm a little concerned. Not enough of you have changed your RSS and email subscriptions yet. If you don't do it this week, your subscription will end when the old site goes dark on Monday. It's easy, really -- just click a link or two and some basic typing. If you click the RSS link and get some code and not the form, close the page and click the link again. It should work the second time. We know about this, and we're trying to fix it.

After the jump, everything you need to know to re-subscribe and use the new site.

Oceanaire cooking classes at the LUXE show home

If you’re anything like me, holiday entertaining is right up there with root canals and doing your taxes. But Oceanaire executive chef Chad Kelley promises he can make the process a little less overwhelming, really. He’ll be sharing easy-to-make recipes for hors d' oeuvres and cocktails during a cooking class Saturday, Dec. 6 at the LUXE Show home. If you want to sign up for classes, you can do so now online.

Back Talk is moving, Wednesday edition

Some shameless self-promotion for the Advocate and the blog as we get ready to switch to the new blog platform. Friday will be our last day at this address.

Karen Blessen, who designed our October 2007 magazine cover, won a Katie award for best magazine cover, beating every other magazine in town (including all the famous ones). That was our Trinity toll road referendum issue. Meanwhile, Outside.in has named Back Talk one of the top blogs in Dallas. That was nothing -- wait until they see what we do next with the new platform.

After the jump, everything you need to know to use the new site.

Wine review: Dufouleur Père & Fils Nuits St. Georges Premier Cru Les Saint Georges 2002

Regular readers know that I don’t put much stock in expensive wine. Even when it’s worthwhile, these wines often fail the 10 times test: Is a typical $100 wine 10 times better than a typical $10 wine?

This red Burgundy (what the French call pinot noir) is from a 400-year French wine family and it does pass the 10 times test. The 2002 vintage, meanwhile, is one of the best in Burgundy in decades. Even better, the wine is only about $30 (available at Goody Goody). This is classic red Burgundy, with zippy tannins and a pleasantly rustic feel and taste. It isn’t especially fruity, so if you drink a lot of New World pinot noir you may be disappointed. Try it anyway.

I drank most of a bottle of this on the porch, enjoying the pleasant fall weather we’ve had lately. The St. Georges will also pair with almost anything you can throw at it for Thanksgiving, and it has lots of aging potential. How often can you say that about a $30 wine?

FOX HiLites: Vote for JJ Pearce football game to be televised

Every week, FOX 4 Sports televises one local high school football game. The station picks which game to air based on how many viewers vote for it.

This week, our very own JJ Pearce is in the running. You can now go online now and vote to see the Mustangs take on Dallas Carter.

I just voted and the most recent stats show us with a lead at 56 percent.

Around the web: Public education edition

A regular roundup of stuff that wouldn't necessarily make it on the blog, but is worth noting. Today, public education news -- and, apparently, the DISD isn't the only district with problems.

• The Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD fired its superintendent last week. Superintendent Annette Griffin was ousted after being arrested for drunk driving and then not reporting the arrest. Said one trustee: "It was not an easy decision for me in light of Dr. Griffin's significant contributions to the district over the last decade. But the superintendent must be a role model for the staff and the students. What has transpired was a breach of trust to the board and the community."

• In Lancaster, the board fired superintendent Larry Lewis Monday after he apparently withheld information from the board and tampered with members' mail. He may also have made loans with district money and spent $800,000 to hire employees who were not in the budget. Lewis' lawyer said his client had no knowledge of alleged loans and that there was no need for the superintendent to notify the board about hiring additional employees because there was money in the budget to pay for them.

• The Arlington ISD is on its third superintendent this year. Long-time superintendent Mac Bernd retired in January, and his replacement, Hector Montenegro, was forced to resign in July after questions arose about his dealings with nonprofits that did business with the district. Jerry McCullough has been interim superintendent since.

Technorati Tags: public education,schools,superintendent firings,Carrollton-Farmers Branch,Lancaster,Arlington

Back Talk’s new home, Tuesday edition

No, we aren't going to run the same post every day for the rest of the week. But we do need a link for people using the old blog, and this is it. Any questions, let us know.

After the jump, the address for the new site and everything you need to know to use it.