I've lived here in Dallas since I was 2 years old except for my fabulous 4 year stay in Memphis, Tennessee at Rhodes College and for a 10 month stopover in 2007 dwelling with the Frenchies on the outskirts of Paris. So, it's safe to say, Dallas is my home on earth and I like it that way.
No1=Because We Have Manners. So true. And thanks D Mag for sayin' so!
No6=Because We Protect The Rights Of Humans. D Magazine praises William O. Holston, Jr., and his firm, Sullivan & Holston, a company comprised of a local group of lawyers, social workers, pastors, and students who "provide legal representation and social services free of charge to those who have fled persecution and arrived in Dallas with nothing." I personally want to praise Vickery Meadow Ministry (www.vickerymeadowministry.org) and all the hearts and hands that make daily sacrifices in that community to serve the families and refugees and to show them the love of Christ.
No8=Because These People Once Called Dallas Home. Lance Armstrong, Jamie Foxx, Norah Jones, Meat Loaf (my mom carpooled with him), Lisa Loeb, Jessica Simpson, and Luke & Owen Wilson...to name a few. It's highly likely you'll spot a celebrity on your stay here. My most recent spotting - Troy Aikman at Mi Cocina Highland Park Village. And in other celebrity news, we have recently welcomed back the former US President and First Lady, George and Laura.
No50=Because You Can Wear Cowboy Boots With Your Suit. And it looks pretty darn good on the cowboys around town. Cowgirls can wear them too. Mine make the occasional Friday appearance at the office.
No51=Because We Invented the Perfect Summer Drink: The Frozen Margarita. Back in my boozin' days, the quality of the frozen margarita decided the dinner place. It's been a while since I've made my rounds, but any of Mia's legacies will suffice (Mia's Tex-Mex, Mi Cocina, Taco Diner). Get an order of brisket tacos while you're slurpin' on your 'rita. Yum!
No54=Because We Get Things Done. Twenty-four Fortune 500 companies have their headquarters in North Texas. Who knew? I didn't.
No54A=Because We Are Educated. 20 colleges and universities, 17 graduate schools (I attend one of 'em), 3 medical and dental schools, 2 law schools, and 20 community colleges.
No55=Because We Are An Olympic Medalist Training Ground. Carly Patterson - check. Nastia Liukin - check check. I've always loved gymnastics. I secretly wanted to go to DFW airport when the girls got back from Beijing.
No60=Because We Have The Most Interesting Sports Owners In The Country. Tom Hicks, Jerry Jones, and Mark Cuban. D Mag doesn't say the best...says the most interesting. Indeed we do.
No65=Because Mia's Brisket Tacos Are The Perfect Tex-Mex Dish. Amen!! See No51.
No68=Because We Yell "Stars!" During The National Anthem. At Stars games and Mavs games too. No lie...I've participated many times.
No69=Because We're The Hollywood Of Reality TV. Ok, I'm not that proud of this one and since I'm not that into reality tv...anymore...I simply feel the need to list one name and number. Emmitt Smith, #22, 2006 Champion of Dancing With The Stars. Ok, maybe one more name...continue reading...
No91=And Because Kelly Clarkson Is Still The Greatest American Idol. 'Nuff said.
No92=Because NorthPark Is...A Fantastic Art Gallery, A Babysitter (drop the tweens off at the new AMC theater and go grab a 'rita and a bite at Luna de Noche, another great Tex-Mex spot), A Library, A Quiet Space, And Oh, Yeah, A Great Place To Stimulate The Economy. And D Mag forgot something, it's a gigantic, air conditioned, visually stimulating track. I've seen white sneakers making the rounds for decades ... at opening hours, lunchtime, or in the evening, NorthPark is a great place for a carlorie burnin' speed walk.
No97=Because We Make Dreams Come True. D Magazine writes here about Stanley Marcus (former CEO of Neiman Marcus)...My shopping is minimal these days, especially at Neiman's, but the Mermaid Bar (Neiman Marcus NorthPark) and Zodiac Room (Neiman Marcus Downtown) are always favorite spots to dream BIG while you lunch with the gals.
No99=Because We're Such A Demanding Sports Town That We Don't Fully Appreciate The Fact That We Are All Nowitznesses. We all see the BIG German. We all know who he is and what he has done on behalf of our Mavericks. As long as the BIG German is still carrying the team, this MFFL still has hope of an NBA Championship one day, one day soon!!
No101=Because We Love Our Dogs More Than Ourselves. Indoor and outdoor dogparks, specialty dog bakeries and boutiques, groomers, trainers, doggie day cares, and more. Indeed a little too much, but in my opinion, man's best friend is worthy of the very best and apparently Dallas has that to offer. Now if only the dog whisperer, Cesar Millan, would relocate...then our dogs would really have it all.
No102=Because You Can Get Great Italian Food Here. Get this, Jimmy's Food Store is the main restaurant picture on page 56. I love Jimmy's. I had yet to find anything like it since Memphis (check out Fino's Italian Grocery on Madison Avenue next time you visit Elvis' hometown), but some DTS gals introduced me to it and it's divine. Subs and other sandwiches overflowing with cheeses, meats, Italian spices, and olive oil. Fat sandwich for a slim price plus tons of other one of a kind Italian goodies, like handmade lobster stuffed ravioli in the freezer section. D Mag tells us this little grocer has Italian items not found any place else in Dallas. It's one of a kind, for sure.
No109=Because Some Things Really Are Bigger Here. D gives its readers a picture of the ridiculous new Dallas Cowboys stadium, but I'd like to consider other things, simpler things, finer things, that really are just bigger in Dallas and well, in Texas, in general...smiles, friendliness, heat index, hair, trucks, wide open spaces, burritos (Freebirds), churches (you know, those MEGA ones), highways, steaks, watermelons, margaritas, pride, and the list goes on and on. You know what they say, "Everything's bigger in Texas!"
No115=Because We Embrace Home-Grown Restaurants. We're a great restaurant town. Come taste for yourself. Even though I don't frequent one of a kind upscale restaurants, I have enjoyed fabulous food creations, on occasion, from some of Dallas' finest chefs like Stephan Pyles and Dean Fearing. This foodie recommends Al Biernat's, York Street, Lola, Fearings, Rise No. 1, Nick & Sams, and wait for it...Snuffer's. Sip a Snufferita (see No51) while you dive into some hot and greasy cheese fries.
No117=Because We Can Rock Big Hair. And we apparently rock other big things as well. See No109. And because we just rock. Listen to Jackopierce (an awesome duo born in the late 80s at Southern Methodist University, see No54A) for a minute and you'll agree.
No118=Because Mexican Immigration Means A Beautiful, Chaotic Blending Of Cultures. This entry takes up an entire page in this copy of D Magazine, as it should, it's an important and relevant issue today. Good news, Fiesta Mart and Tex Mex/Mexican dining places are all staying strong in this weakened economy. After all, Texans and Mexicans know how to eat and even merged their fine cuisines to establish Tex-Mex (see Nos 51 & 65). Only time I have a problem is when I need to speak some Spanish and French just happens to be my second language. Not so bueno!
No119=Because We Love Our Skyline At Night. Come see for yourself.
No120=Because The Back Cover Of This D Magazine Is A Picture Of Josh Hamilton With The Words I Am Second. Sure I Am Second wrote a check to make this happen, but someone at D Magazine approved it. I am second. Are you? www.iamsecond.com
I added commentary to most of the entries and inserted No120 myself and could actually contribute plenty more...but for now, go ahead and enjoy the ones I selected. They are my faves. Even if they aren't the most meaningful or inspiring attributes of a city, I found them to be fun little tidbits. Whenever you're in the Big D, be sure to give me a call!! See ya'll.
