Let me show you a couple things that will help. First there is Abby:

So cute you won’t be able to resist taking her for walks (and if she’s like my two heeler mixes she won’t easily take no for an answer). Not quite your kind of dog? How about Oreo?

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How could you sit and watch an episode of a reality show when Oreo gives you that look? Hurry, both of these dogs are at North Texas SPCA shelters. With faces like that they are sure to get adopted soon!

Both these are from working dog lines and you should expect to walk them a few miles a day. Not in for that level of walking? The SPCA has a pretty good selection of couch dogs too.

It seems lately that whenever someone doesn’t like a politician or a political movement, they invoke “it’s just like Hitler again.” Whatever you think of the strong mayor initiative, you’ll probably be surprised to learn that former City Council member Al Lipscomb compared the push to the rise of Adolf Hitler. A little perspective here people…

Read the story at the Dallas Morning News.

If you’re interested in helping young women grow up to be smart, strong and bold, consider volunteering with Girl’s Inc of Dallas.

Girl’s Inc has six centers in Dallas - in neighborhoods where a lot of girls feel like they do not have much to look forward to. Most of them are from families that struggle to make ends meet. About half of them do not have both of their parents at home, and nearly a fourth of do not live with either parents

Other Girl’s Inc. facts:

-After school and during the summer are times children are the most vulnerable to violence and trouble.
-Six centers provide a warm, nurturing and safe environment.
-59% of the girls served come from homes with a family income that is below the poverty level ($15,000 or less).
-64% of our girls come from single parent homes.
-Trained staff and volunteers provide quality programming.
-Girls Inc. of Metropolitan Dallas is one of the largest affiliate in the country, piloting national programs and providing leadership for other Girls Inc. affiliates nationwide.

They only ask for 3-4 hours a month. That’s not much time to show a young girl that you care about what happens to her.

Today I saw my favorite tow truck in the metroplex. It’s called the Tow Jam.

They may have an unfortunate/amusing name, but they are good people. Suppose for instance, you’d just moved to Dallas and you didn’t know anyone and you certainly didn’t know a reputable garage. And let’s say that you were cash strapped because you’d just finished grad school and moved and started a new job. Then let’s suppose the timing belt on your car broke and you had to be towed.

If the Tow Jam showed up - they would tow your car to a garage that they know is good and cheap but all the way across town. They’d drive you to a rental car place. The next day they’d call the garage on your behalf to double check that they’d done the work without any puffed up charges. Plus, they’d wait a few days before submitting the paperwork to the auto club so that you could upgrade your membership and the auto club would fully cover the cost of towing.

I’m not saying that happened to me, because I bet the Tow Jam people would get in trouble with the auto club. But they are the kind of people who would do that for someone who needed help.

Uncle Calvin’s Coffeehouse has been delivering fine acoustic music since 1982. I heard of Uncle Calvin’s a few years ago when Gillian Welch was playing there but the flu preempted my attendance. Last Friday I saw Tish Hinojosa in a sold out performance. I’ve never been a fan of smoke filled bars so this smoke free venue is a draw for me. They do serve coffee and tea and (from the appearance) home made desserts - all very reasonably priced.

The staff are all volunteers and proceeds go to feed and care for the homeless in north Texas.

Last night, Les and I went with a couple of friends to the Mac for the Gummelt retrospective and then cruised over to The Green Pepper for dinner. We were surprised to find the place packed, but the food was worth the wait. We discovered Green Pepper when we decided to go to La Duni and had the worst service experience ever. So, we left and headed down to the Green Pepper where we found excellent Thai and Chinese food, as well as charming and attentive service. It’s just a hole in the wall…but it’s goooood.

The Green Pepper Noodle House and Grill, 4246 Oaklawn.

It’s called The Gag Report, but don’t worry, it’s not gross.

Well, it’s gross, but not in a bloody way. Mostly a funny way. Ah yes, the Internet, so useful in so many ways. Enjoy.

http://www.gagreport.com/

I curse my friend who pointed me to Wingfield’s on Beckley. This tiny hole-in-the-wall diner serves burgers and breakfast. The counter is kind of strangely set up and there are no seats so it’s to-go or sro.

The burgers are those take a handful of ground beef and slam it on the grill type with frayed edges.

I was lucky to take this picture of the store as the parking lot is normally full and at busy times a line goes out the door and down the road.

Big, beefy, meaty & juicy. Wonderful stuff and fries that tasted so good they must have been cooked in lard. Git you some.

Wingfield’s, 2615 S.Beckley, Dallas, TX 75224. 214.943.5214

Back in 1991 I remember city officials sinking a shovel into the ground at Walnut Hill and North Central and we all thought, “Oh boy, here we go. A decade of construction on I-75.”

But I think things have gotten worse since they finished contruction. The problem: The drivers.

Several nights a week I take a short segment of North Central from Park Lane to I-635. I would hazard a guess, that 80% of the time there is at least one accident in that four mile span. Easily!

Last night there were three separate accidents. It took 20 minutes to go that short distance.

Shouldn’t we be using those nifty big signs over the freeway to say: “Twelve accidents this week alone on this stretch of highway. Don’t be number 13.” Or, “Here comes Royal and Forest. Time to put down the cell phone!”

Leia, the proprietress of dfwblogs is on a mission to regain her # 1 name ranking in Google. She is also a friend of mine and I’m showing her some link-love.