KTW 07-05-19

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July 5-11, 2019

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Take one!

CRIME WATCH page 2

Movie trailer page 8

Candys Dirt page 6

Katy Trail Weekly

Vol. 6, No. 21: Section One | Neighborhood News | Community Calendar and Food Guide | Local Arts | Opinions Editor's Note: Due to a production error beyond our control, Katy Trail Weekly had to be reconfigured this week. We hope to return to our normal format next week and apologize for any inconvenience. - David Mullen

COMMUNITY NEWS Rebrand goes public

THEATER

Gods throwing wrenches in ‘As You Like It’ Turtle Creek Conservancy

On July 2, Turtle Creek Park took the first step to rebrand the park formerly known as Lee Park when it unveiled banners on Turtle Creek Boulevard in the Turtle Creek and Oak Lawn neighborhoods. The Park Board voted to permanently rename the park in early April. Modeled after the Central Park Conservancy in New York, the Turtle Creek Conservancy raises the essential private funds to give elevated care to Turtle Creek Park and Arlington Hall for today and tomorrow. – Gay Donnell Willis

Team makes academic splash

shakespeare dallas

The SMU women's swimming and diving team had six student-athletes earn College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association SMU of America (CSCAA) Scholar All-America honors. Erin Trahan (above left) and Andrea Podmanikova (above right) led the way for the Mustangs, while Katie Crown, Olivia Grossklaus, Johanna Holloway and Taylor Ohlhauser were also recognized. Swimmers and divers must have achieved a GPA of 3.50 or higher and participated in the NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships. – Lindsey Olson

“As You Like It” is running through Friday, July 19 at Samuell-Grand Amphitheatre.

By Brian Wilson brian.wilson.usmc@gmail.com For talk six times with the same single lady, and you may get the wedding dresses ready. – Don Juan, Lord Byron The first use of the phrase

“deus ex machina” is credited to the fourth century BC Greek playwright Menander. His device has been put to use ever since in the theater, and Shakespeare Dallas’ current production of “As You Like It” running through Friday, July 19 at Samuell-Grand Amphitheatre at

6200 E. Grand Ave. is laden with them. But we shouldn’t consider them completely metaphysical. The first man to mix water, flour and oil to make bread just made use of what nature provided, and so the theater cont'd on page 10

CITY OF DALLAS

Thoughts from the new mayor Eric Johnson

By William K. Skipworth Eric Johnson was inaugurated as Dallas’s 60th mayor June 17 after a tight runoff election with former city councilman Scott Griggs.

"Dallas is a great city, but we have some serious challenges ahead of us. We need to make sure that the Dallas of tomorrow is full of opportunity for everyone,” Johnson said at the inauguration. “If we do, Dallas will be a city of strong, safe neighborhoods where families thrive and where every child has the opportunities to succeed that I enjoyed growing up in this incredible city."

Born and raised in Dallas, Johnson graduated from Greenhill High School before BILL ZEEBLE / KERA NEWS leaving Texas to attend Harvard University in Cambridge, Mass. He then received a graduEric Johnson (foreground) and Scott Griggs (distant) during the ate degree at Princeton University in N.J. and Dallas mayoral debate in May 2019. a law degree at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.

He currently lives in Dallas with his wife, Nikki and He eventually returned to Dallas where for the past two sons, William and George.

15 years, he’s been a practicing law. Most recently, he His experience as a public servant comes from his served on the public finance team at the firm Orrick Herrington and Sutcliffe.

MAYOR cont'd on page 10

Wrestling, Japanese style The New Japan Pro Wrestling will hold the opening night of the 29th annual G1 Climax tournament for the first time ever in the U.S. on Saturday, July 6 at 5 p.m. at the American Airlines Center at 2500 Victory Ave. NJPW-TV Asahi The event will also be broadcast live on AXS TV. The G1 Climax is the most prestigious tournament in pro wrestling, continuing across Japan until the Monday, Aug. 12 finale in Tokyo. Twenty wrestlers will participate this year.

Tickets are $50 to $300. – Culture Map

2 3 4 5 6

INSIDE Phillip Murrell

Notes from the Editor Bubba Flint Uptown Girl The Law Crossword Puzzle Your Stars This Week Room to Grow Mull It Over Automobility Winding Roads Hammer and Nails

@katytrailweekly

7 8 9 10 11

Community Calendar Photo of the Week

Uncle Barky's Bites Charity Spotlight

Dotty Griffith Recipe Scene Around Town Restaurant Guide Sudoku

Travel

@katytrailweekly

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KATYTRAILWEEKLY.COM

July 5-11, 2019

KATYTRAILWEEKLY.COM

July 5-11, 2019

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NOTES FROM THE EDITOR

The most for my new lease on life

By David Mullen

is a disaster. The latest is that I can’t receive mail at my apartment complex, because apparently someone was breaking The lease came up on my into the gated community and car. Despite making less than stealing people’s mail. That a coal miner in Kazakhstan means I must go to the post and living on a steady diet of office on Oak Lawn Avenue peanut butter and rice cakes, I and wait in line to retrieve my managed to trade in my vehimail. The less than inspired cle for a new one. That meant person in the two sizes, too I had to get a new TollTag, so small stretch pants and bedoff to the North Texas Tollway room slippers handed me two Authority (NTTA) office in pieces of junk mail on July 1.

Plano I go. It is odd that one I said I have more than that. has to take the Dallas North “No you don’t,” she said. “Yes, I Tollway to get to the NTTA office, since ones current TollTag do,” I said. “No you don’t,” she said. I remember is inactive, but her from when that’s not the I recently had point. The place to pick up a box was packed, but from Amazon. it is incredibly The package was efficient and I sitting next to couldn’t have the door inside been in the ofthe backroom at fice for more the post office. I than 10 minsaw my name and utes. I know the big Amazon that they are David Mullen logo on it. I said, sanctioned, “There it is.” She not run, by the ignored me and state, but every continued to go through the federal, state and local office shelves to try to find the box. I should run so smoothly. I missaid, “It is right here!” She contakenly put my new TollTag on tinued to ignore me. “We don’t backward and now the NTTA have it,” she said.

“It is right is paying me to drive … My life david@katytrailweekly.com

here!” I said. “You want to see a supervisor?” she asked.

“Yes!” I said. By the time he got off of his break, he came over and handed me my box.

So July 1 was also the day I got a call from MasterCard wondering where my payment was. “I haven’t gotten a bill!” I explained. On July 2, I go back to the post office and get handed a stack of mail by someone else, including an Eric Johnson for mayor post card. The election was June 8. I got two Sports Illustrated magazines. They are printed every other week.

I received bills that were way past the due date, so now my credit rating is in jeopardy and I have to pay late fees. I have tried to call the companies that I am past due and explain the situation. I hung up on Spectrum after 40 minutes on hold. I received two Bank of America bills for the same credit card in my stack. This is utterly ridiculous, but clearly a sign of the times. Where is Sam Drucker when you need him? … I had a married couple friends of mine visit on June 30 and July 1, passing through from Atlanta on the way back to Oakland. I have known

UPTOWN GIRL

By Ryann Gordon

ryannbgordon@yahoo.com

K AT Y TR AIL WEEKLY'S

CRIME WATCH June 22 – 12:49 a.m.

3700 Block, McKinney Ave. (75204) Assault: The suspect stabbed the complainant with a plastic spork.

June 22 – 2:46 a.m.

2600 Block, Commerce St. (75226) Murder: The suspect shot the complainant.

June 22 – 10:05 a.m.

5100 Block, Lemmon Ave. (75209) Criminal Mischief: The suspect shot a bullet into the complainant’s vehicle door and tire.

June 22 – 3:13 p.m.

3300 Block, Blackburn St. (75204) Harassment: An unknown suspect constantly calls the

them for 45 years and was in their wedding. So I get to play tour guide. We went to E Bar for Tex-Mex and then headed over to Lee Harvey’s in South Dallas. Apparently, the city won’t let them have Dog Day Afternoons on Sunday anymore because they serve food. But Mutts serves food, so go figure. We drove through Bishop Arts (under massive road construction on 8th Street) and crossed the Margaret Hunt Bridge. After a nap, we had sushi at Oishii. The next day was a trip to the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden on a beautiful weather day and then lunch at Mercury

Grill before taking them back to DFW. They hadn’t been in Dallas in decades and were very impressed. I love to play tour guide, although the Oak Lawn post office was not part of the excursion … The rather non-descript Clover Club at 2404 Cedar Springs Road, Suite 400 (next to Coal Vines), will host live music on Friday, July 5 and Saturday, July 6 for guests to celebrate Independence Day weekend.

On Friday, the club is hosting popular Dallas crooner Hunter Sullivan, starting at 8 p.m., and on Saturday, they will host The Texas Gypsies from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m.

THE LAW

Are you an employee?

Home, sweet home, of the $30,000 millionaire

Dallas has become well-known as a hub for young adults, and perhaps the most notorious stomping ground of the ostentatious $30,000 millionaire. They work average jobs, spend every dollar they have on Ubers, craft cocktails and Instagram-worthy meals, and they live like millionaires on an hourly wage.

There's a variety of factors that contribute to the accumulation of credit card swiping, 20-somethings in our city, one being the outrageous, hype culture that Dallas f launts, where the masses are constantly seeking the next big thing and preparing their outfits for a social media gasconade. Some call it boujee; others call it new money, which brings us to another disparity intricately sewn into Dallas' core — economic inequality. In a recent interview done by Krys Boyd in her Think podcast, (former) Mayor Mike Rawlings admits that Dallas has the richest and the poorest of America's major cities, determining it to be a product of gentrification done differently. When asked whether we’re a rich or poor

William "Bubba" Flint — Special Contributor

Ryann Gordon city, then-mayor replies: “We’re both.

“We have 15 billionaires,” Rawlings affirmed. “We’re an amazingly rich city. But we’re a city of single moms with three kids and they’re trying to make ends meet.” And it’s true — one-in-three children in Dallas are living in poverty.

However, the work Rawlings did as mayor aimed to fix the issue of lower classes being pushed out by gentrification.

“We’ve created in our housing policy ways to help,” he explained. “We have money in place to help people fix up their homes and keep them from being priced out.

And money in place to help those who rent as well.”

While in most major complainant.

June 22 – 7:12 p.m.

3300 Block, Throckmorton St. (75219) Deadly Conduct: An unknown suspect fired a round around the complainant after threatening him/her with a gun.

June 23 – 8:06 a.m.

2800 Block, N. Hall St. (75204) Assault: An unknown suspect ran up behind the complainant and pushed her down.

June 23 – 8:35 a.m.

4600 Block, Greenville Ave. (75206) Burglary of a Building: The suspect entered the complainant’s business by force and stole property.

June 23 – 4:20 p.m.

2700 Block, Swiss Ave. (75204) Theft from Person: An unknown suspect stole the complainant’s cellphone from his/ her hand.

cities, gentrification has pushed out the lower social class and made it unfeasible to afford life in the city, Dallas has maintained a large number of low-priced living accommodations including many low-income housing communities within minutes from downtown, affordable eateries and grocery stores, and well-mapped highways that make for viable city transportation.

Being the home of the $30,000 millionaire has given Dallas a vexing reputation in many instances, but overall, perhaps it's not the worst thing to have a variety of classes living together as one. Isn't the point of decent wealth distribution to keep away from extreme separation among classes? Being the home of the $30,000 millionaire means that we live in a city where anyone can thrive, whether rich or poor, business or working class, new or old money. The ability to fake what you can't make is crucial for rising social classes, and Dallas is one of the few cities where members of all echelons are able to commingle.

Our neighbors wear suits, gloves, aprons and everything in between, and we all seem to get along just fine.

June 23 – 9:11 p.m.

4300 Block, Cedar Springs Rd. (75219) Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle: An unknown suspect stole the complainant’s vehicle.

June 24 – 10:39 a.m.

2400 Block, McKinney Ave. (75201) Burglary of a Motor Vehicle: An unknown suspect entered the complainant’s vehicle and stole property.

June 24 – 4:26 p.m.

2200 Block, Lola Ct. (75206) Aggravated Robbery of an Individual: Three unknown suspects stole the complainant’s property at gunpoint.

June 24 – 9:52 p.m.

400 Block, S. Harwood St. (75201) Aggravated Robbery of an Individual: An unknown suspect stabbed the complainant after stealing property.

By Larry Jones larry@larryjones.com There are substantial tax effects to both the worker and the company, if a worker is treated as an independent contractor and is really an employee.

In this situation, the worker will get more money than if the worker was an employee because no taxes are withheld from the worker’s pay. However, at the end of the year, the worker will get Form 1099 and not a W-2 and will owe taxes on the worker’s pay.

From the position of the company, the company will not have to pay FICA and Medicare taxes. In addition, the company will not have to pay any benefits for the worker.

If subsequently the company is found to have employees and not independent contractors, then the company could be liable for part of the taxes and for the benefits that were not paid to the employee. If the employee was entitled to health insurance and got sick and did not have health, the company could incur a substantial liability. In some cases, the company may intentionally treat a worker as an independent contractor and not an employee.

Treating someone as an independent contractor can also cause issues with the State of Texas and Department of Labor. In addition, certain persons in the company can be personally liable for the trust fund Larry Jones that were not paid to the IRS. In certain cases, a worker may be an independent contract for tax purposes, but an employee for other purposes.

For IRS purposes, the term employee means: Any officer of a corporation; any individual who, under the

common law rules applicable in determining the employer-employee relationship has the status of an employee; any individual who performs services for remuneration for any person as: certain agent/commission drivers, full-time life insurance salespersons; home workers; and traveling or city salespersons.

Under the common law standard, whether the person doing the work can be controlled by the person for whom the work is being done, is considered an employee.

The cost of misclassifying a worker can be devastating. It is not limited to a single worker and generally will apply to at least three years open under the statute of limitations. The liability can extend to matters other than tax liability such as fringe benefits, overtime, health insurance and other items that employees would be entitled to have. In addition, penalties may be imposed by the Department of Labor.

The worker is liable for income taxes and self-employment taxes even though these taxes are not withheld from the employee’s wages.

There is no easy test to determine if a worker is an employee or independent contractor. The IRS and the courts have used the following factors to determine if someone is an employee or independent contractor. The degree of importance of each factor varies with each case. These factors are set forth in Rev. Rul. 87-41, 1987-1 C.B. 296.

1. Instructions 2. Training 3. Integration 4. Services rendered personally 5. Hiring, supervising and paying assistants 6. Continuing relationship 7. Set hours of work 8. Full-time required 9. Performing work on employer's premises 10. Order or sequence set 11. Oral or written reports LAW cont'd on page 10

OUR MISSION Katy Trail Weekly is a community-friendly newspaper designed to inform and entertain the people in many diverse demographics who live and/or work in these neighborhoods. Much like the Katy Trail itself, Katy Trail Weekly is designed to help bring together the neighborhoods of Downtown, Uptown, Cedar Springs/Oak Lawn, the Design District, the Medical District and the Park Cities, as well as others. The newspaper is placed in local businesses, and other locations, for free pick-up by their patrons. We support this publication by providing ad space to local businesses who want an effective and affordable way to reach the Katy Trail area readers we attract and serve. We welcome participation in the paper through story and picture submissions, and we hope that you will join us in making this paper the best it can be.

Writers Dr. Jay Burns (cont'd.) Chic DiCiccio Candace Evans Editor in Chief David Mullen Leah Frazier Society Editor Sally Blanton Rev. Dr. Chris Girata Graphic Design Bronwen Roberts Ryann Gordon

Advertising Sales Susie Denardo Dotty Griffith Accounts Mgr. Cindi Cox Becky Bridges Dr. Donald Hohman Online Editors Bronwen Roberts Distribution Paul Omar Redic Jo Ann Holt BethLeermakers Naïma Jeannette Brandt Carroll Naima Montacer Chris Maroni Leigh Richardson Juan Najera Copy Editors Michael Tate Joe Ruzicka Jessica Voss Stephan Sardone Writers Ed Bark Shari Stern David Boldt Publisher

Rex Cumming

Editorial William"Bubba" Cartoonist Flint

© 2018 Trail Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved. Katy Trail Weekly is published weekly and distributed for free. Views expressed in Katy Trail Weekly are not necessarily the opinion of Katy Trail Weekly, its staff or advertisers. Katy Trail Weekly does not knowingly accept false or misleading editorial content or advertising.

Wayne Swearingen Michael Tate Michael Wald Dr. Kim Washington

Katy Trail Weekly

(214) 27-TRAIL (87245) P.O. Box 601685 • Dallas, TX 75360 info@katytrailweekly.com • katytrailweekly.com

KATYTRAILWEEKLY.COM

PAGE 4

Crossword Puzzle

ACROSS 1. Rock bottom 6. Geometric solid 11. Robert Burns, e.g.

15. Kittens 20. Isolated

21. Frightening 22. Deep devotion 24. See eye-to-eye 25. Chieftain’s plaids 26. Chipmunk snack 27. Blocky heel 28. Desire

29. Business founder 32. Think ahead 33. Wife of Menelaus 34. Spanish explorer (2 wds.)

35. Place to winter 36. Yield

Off the mark

Solution on page 10

38. Insect killer 40. Tijuana “Mrs.” 41. Joined with 43. Busy places 44. Pester playfully 46. Threatening, as weather

July 5-11, 2019

50. Down in the dumps 51. Flinch 52. Twisted 53. Yardstick 57. Checked for typos 59. — Abner, of the comics 60. Weekly program 62. Just OK (hyph.)

63. Chinese mammals 64. High mark (hyph.)

66. Take care of 67. Pipe material 68. Crept 69. Force 70. Wrinkled fruit 72. Hugs tightly 75. Tackle-box item 76. Fragrant trees 77. Dutch cheese 78. Implement 79. Dryness 81. Rockne of Notre Dame 82. Lash darkener 85. “Sister Act” roles 86. Pile up, as wealth 87. Ale ingredient 88. Bronze coin 90. Mountain chains 93. Banded stone 94. Link 95. Marshal’s star 96. Pamplona shout 97. Frankenstein’s gofer 98. Winter sports gear 100. Sour 101. Criticize 103. Cautions 105. Use a charge card 106. Hiker’s tote 107. Injection 108. Humerus

neighbor 109. Hubble component 111. — -relief 112. Miscalculates 113. Exploded 115. Carried a tune 116. Rot (2 wds.)

118. Pale gray 121. Travel guide 122. Felt sorry about 123. Captain’s milieu 124. ZZ Top features 129. Inexpensive 131. Washstand item 133. Pleasure 136. West Indies republic 137. Famous 139. Impatience 140. Olfactory stimulus 141. Kind of statesman 142. Kind of sculpture 143. Something else 144. Bishop’s hat 145. Paris river 146. Be too fond 147. Wish for 148. Outmoded DOWN 1. Unclad 2. Skirt cut (hyph.)

3. Airheads 4. Opening remarks 5. Puts back to zero 6. Fruit tree 7. Ebbed 8. Pressed 9. Squad car blaster 10. PC list 11. Cutting device

12. Light pancakes 13. In a weird way 14. Livy’s togs 15. Ritzy boats 16. Human-eater 17. Where Asia begins 18. Defiant reply 19. Davis of “The Fly” 23. Gave, as a verdict 30. Balances 31. Hotel unit 37. Gives a whack 39. Boxes on a calendar 42. Pop 43. Language with clicks 44. String 45. USN rank 46. Part of a shoe 47. Like a good egg? (2 wds.)

48. More tedious 49. Tyrolean art 51. Dump a lover 52. Wrestling venue 54. Sorry!

55. Host’s plea 56. Soft shoes 58. Brief craze 59. Med. staffers 61. Piano exercise 64. Ethereal 65. Household members 69. Morse code signals 71. Road hazards 72. Price 73. Place (abbr.)

74. Priced individually (3 wds.)

76. Bygone auto ornaments 77. Annoying insect

ROOM TO GROW

Wallpaper is back and trending

By Margaret Chambers Wallpaper has been making a comeback for the past five years and interior designers predict that it will be more popular than ever this year. If you've spent hours applying or removing wallpaper in the past, you might be wondering why anyone would choose wallpaper over paint. This is partially thanks to improvements in technology. Wallpaper with vinyl coating will resist the effects of shower steam and is easy to wipe clean.

Wallpaper today is also easier to apply and remove without damaging the wall; some kinds are even self-adhesive. That said, hiring a professional to do the job will still save you hours of tedious work.

Wallpaper, despite its drawbacks, has a few clear advantages over paint and faux finishes.

Covering your walls with an artistic design can add the elegant touch (for more traditional patterns) or the 'wow' factor (for overscale modern designs) that your home needs.

Wallpaper is also less expensive than other high-end materials such as textile fabrics and stone. Simply

put, a pattern can do more for your room than a coat of paint alone. The trick is to identify which rooms can benefit from wallpaper, and which patterns work best with each space.

Wallpaper is most helpful when it complements the architecture of the room.

Today's wallpaper designs are not what you'd find in your grandmother's kitchen. Visual effects that were difficult to reproduce before can now be created with modern screen-printing techniques. At the same time, hand-printed or painted paper with a personal touch is enjoying new popularity.

Trendy patterns designers are using today include Asian patterns, large geometrics and traditional patterns like floral and damask in an updated color. Gray wallpaper is the most popular of the neutral colors. Some homeowners buy photorealistic wallpaper that mimics the look of natural materials, such as brick, stone and wood. While midcentury interior design traditionally features unadorned white walls, fans of this style are now incorporating exciting new wallpaper patterns.

Margaret Chambers Large rooms and high-ceilinged rooms can both feel cozier with wallpaper. Choose soothing colors and patterns so you don't overwhelm visitors. You can also try using vertical stripes in rooms with low ceilings or horizontal stripes in narrow spaces. If you discover a busy or unusual pattern you love, but are hesitant to commit, try putting it in a small space like a powder room.

It's becoming increasingly popular for homeowners to paper a single accent wall or ceiling to make a statement. By covering just one wall, you can also break up large rooms, such as bedrooms and entryways.

Some designers caution homeowners to avoid wallpaper in the kitchen, which is considered a dated look, unless they choose a trendy pattern.

ROOM TO GROW cont'd on page 5

Your Stars this Week

by Stella Wilder

The coming week is likely to require unusual diligence on the part of most individuals when it comes to keeping emotions in check and reactions to unexplained, uncontrolled and unwanted developments to a minimum.

Saying or doing the wrong thing this week, even when it makes perfect “instinctive” sense, can set one back weeks, even months — or actually render any recent progress null and void. It is important for everyone to recognize that what makes sense to one may not make sense to another. Now is no time for indulging in the age-old panacea that “everyone is in the same boat” — for this week, nothing could be further from the truth.

It may be very easy for one to hurt another’s feelings this week, and yet in some cases it will have nothing to do with feelings whatsoever — but, rather, professional courtesy and respect. One will want to receive what one gives, and anyone who feels he or she is getting the short end of the stick this week has every reason to speak up!

contain the numbers 1 through 4 (easy) or 1 through 6 (challenging) without repeating.

● The numbers within the heavily 7-7-19

● Freebies: Fill in single-box cages

with the number in the top-left corner.

KenKen® is a registered trademark of KenKen Puzzle LLC. ©2019 KenKen Puzzle LLC. All rights reserved. Dist. by Andrews McMeel. www.kenken.com

● Each row and each column must

outlined boxes, called cages, must combine using the given operation (in any order) to produce the target numbers in the top-left corners.

78. Bedtime story 80. Up for payment 81. Sears rival 82. Whip up 83. More embarrassed 84. Fisherman 86. Greek marketplace 87. Speck of dust 89. High-schoolers 90. — Hashanah 91. Actress — Sheedy 92. Third-quarter tide 93. Actor’s need 94. Swerves, at sea 95. Roll 97. Paid out unwisely (hyph.)

99. King of gorillas 100. Kind of melon 102. Wild crowd 103. Psychics may see it 104. Slide sideways 106. City conveyance 110. Goals 111. Braggart 114. Game official 115. Most certain 116. Kyoto entertainer 117. Leave hastily 118. Aspirin targets 119. Layered rock 120. Swiss miss 122. Type of rocket 123. Condition 125. Open-air lobbies 126. Wild disturbances 127. Geodesic structures 128. Catch 130. Ra’s symbol 132. Fireplace fuel 134. Mariner’s hello 135. Plant with fronds 138. Female deer

CANCER (June 21-July 7) You’ll want to be seen as “involved” this week, so you must be prepared to put your needs aside for a time in order to be part of the group. (July 8-July 22) – You may have trouble sticking to your schedule this week. What happens all around you all the time will keep you from focusing exclusively on what must be done.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 7) Your ability to shine a light on

others without making any undue sacrifices on your part will come in handy all week long. You’ll be in charge sometimes. (Aug. 8-Aug. 22) – Reach out to a friend as the week opens, and by the time it comes to a close, you’re almost certain to have arrived at a new and mutually beneficial agreement of some kind.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 7) You’re ready to undertake a certain endeavor that demands more of you than anything you’ve done in recent weeks. Friends give you the support you need. (Sept. 8-Sept.

22) – Not everyone will understand just how much you have put into a certain project lately — but those who do are going to give you more than praise. They make a difference.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 7) You’re going to start the week in a state of high expectation, because of something someone else has not done or left behind. This could be your turn! (Oct. 8-Oct. 22) – Someone close to you may challenge you to do something out of the ordinary today — and you are likely to turn this into an opportunity that makes him or her rather jealous.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 7) A friend has been trying to give you an example of how to behave, but he or she isn’t making it work to your satisfaction. You can turn the tables this week. (Nov. 8-Nov. 21) – Distractions abound this week, but you can remain focused

if you stick to familiar surroundings that have inspired you in the past.

Keep your mind on your work.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 7) You don’t like things to be what other people would call “regular” or “correct” — and this week you can do much to shape your own world accordingly. (Dec. 8-Dec. 21) – You may find yourself forced into a situation this week from which you can only extricate yourself by doing what, under different circumstances, you know you shouldn’t do.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 6) Your ability to tackle two major projects at once may have been in doubt at one time, but this week you can prove that you can do that — and much more. (Jan. 7-Jan. 19) – You are able to showcase certain talents this week, surely — but you must also take care that you allow someone else to do the same. Don’t step on any toes!

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 3) You may have to keep moving all week long, for fear that landing in any one place will cause you to lose momentum or enthusiasm. Keep those wheels turning! (Feb. 4-Feb. 18) – You are very eager to do things your way this week, not out of selfishness or self-importance, but rather to prove to yourself that your ideas are, indeed, viable.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 5) You’re not likely to have all the time you desire to perform certain key

Copyright 2018 United Feature Syndicate, Inc.

functions this week, so you must focus on necessity and efficiency in all things. (March 6-March 20) – The rules and regulations were not established with you in mind, but that doesn’t mean you do not have to follow them — even those with which you disagree.

ARIES (March 21-April 4) You’re beginning a very tricky phase this week, but when it actually starts will be something of a crapshoot. You can influence events only so much. (April 5-April 19) – Your ability to see things for what they truly are, and not be distracted or deceived by that which is not a part of the central issue, can work wonders for you this week.

TAURUS (April 20-May 5) You can expect to encounter those who disagree with you this week, but no one is likely to express his or her views as clearly or as effectively as you. (May 6-May 20) – You are concerned that things are not making as much sense as you had hoped this week — but when someone comes through “just in time,” you’ll know that all is well.

GEMINI (May 21-June 6) Now is no time to break with a partner on a topic of high sensitivity. It’s important for you both to be on the same page and to present a unified front. (June 7-June 20) – You mustn’t overreact when you realize that certain information has been withheld from you. It wasn’t likely intentional, and you can catch up with little effort.

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July 5-11, 2019

PAGE 5

MULL IT OVER

Comic-Con for sports launches in Dallas

By David Mullen

david@katytrailweekly.com This is not the type of convention where you will find hundreds of people in Spiderman, Captain America and Wookiee costumes. This is SportsCon, billed as the “most interactive sports convention in the world” and it is coming to Dallas.

SportsCon is the ultimate fan experience that brings players from all sports together in one place for a weekend filled with interaction, live games and sports challenges.

SportsCon will be held in the Automobile Building of Fair Park at 1100 1st Ave. on Friday, July 12 through Sunday, July 14. Fans can expect to meet players from the NFL, NBA, MLB and even the UFC in the most

action-packed and interactive environment that a sports fan can experience.

The event is the evolution of former Dallas Cowboys quarterback and CBS analyst Tony Romo and current Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott’s National Fantasy Football Convention (NFFC). The NFFC brings thousands of fantasy football fans to the metroplex to meet and engage with their favorite players and personalities. After two years of unprecedented popularity and success, the team behind NFFC decided it was time for something bigger and better.

“After listening to fans, attendees, players and sponsors, it was clear that everyone wanted more,” said SportsCon CEO Andy Alberth. “They wanted more sports, more players, more

companies and even more access. We really had no choice but to expand in a major way. We’re humbled by our past successes and we’re motivated to provide fans a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get up-close and personal with their favorite athletes from all sports.”

In addition to bringing together more than 150 professional athletes, SportsCon will also feature two football fields, basketball hoops, putting greens, batting cages, a boxing and wrestling ring, the Taste of Texas, an eSports lounge and many more interactive exhibits. Athletes scheduled to attend include Ezekiel Elliott, Todd Gurley, Melvin Gordon, Randy Couture, Delino DeShields and others.

“I love sports,” Alberth said. “The dream of being able to work in sports is

something I would do for free. To be around these fans and athletes and to do something that has never existed is really special. You can go to any sporting event and — win or lose — you are not going to meet the players.

It is fun to make memories for these sports fans. It was kind of how I grew up. I wish I had this opportunity growing up.

“You will see a boxing ring and champions fighting in the ring. You can expect to see a 60-yard football field with military combines going on and a bowl with NFL quarterbacks playing a game with the military.

You will see batting cages and can get into the cage with Pete Rose, the all-time batting leader. There will be Rangers and Astros there.

You can see the Smith brothers [current Cowboy Jaylon

and former Cowboy Rod] coaching against each other in the Military Bowl. You can play video games in the Microsoft Lounge with former athletes. You can play basketball.

“We have a women’s side where we have a football camp,” Alberth said. “We have a Nancy Lieberman basketball camp as well. We have over 200 partners. It is an event that is more than three days. It will last yearround. There is no doubt that we were inspired by the success of Comic-Con and we wanted to create something similar for sports fans of the world, instead of meeting your favorite superheroes, you get to meet your favorite sports heroes. With our continued partnerships with all four branches of the military, some of the largest companies in the world and

MLB

Pete Rose. professional athletes, we’re excited to show our attendees that there is nothing quite like SportsCon.” SportsCon promises to not be your typical star-studded, hero-worship convention full of imposters.

But just in case, be on the lookout for fans dressed as Brett Favre, Kevin Durant, Mike Trout, Alexander Ovechkin or Conor McGregor. Find out more at gosportscon.com.

WINDING ROADS

AUTOMOBILITY

Lexus LX 570: tow ‘n go Blazer road trip to Columbus, Texas

By Jo Ann Holt joannholt@gmail.com

LEXUS

The 2020 Lexus LX 570.

By David Boldt djboldt@sbcglobal.net The Lexus LX 570, benefiting from the mildest of annual makeovers, is a legend already made. With its robust body-on-frame construction, V8 power train, available eight-passenger seating and 7,000-pound towing capacity, the LX 570 stands tall in a landscape of carbased crossovers — many of which are on Lexus’s own showroom.

In a town where Chevy’s Suburban is ubiquitous, the sheer mass of the LX 570 can still surprise. Sitting on a wheelbase of 112 inches, and with an overall length stretching 200 inches, its physical footprint can fit in most garages (it even squeezed into our apartment garage in Dallas’ Uptown), but its combination of height and width makes the initial impression — or second impression — somewhat daunting. The mass is deflected by a relatively generous greenhouse, while accented in our test vehicle’s white finish; this was one helluva lot of white.

Inside, our 2-row LX (a 3-row is available, and recommended) is finished in a manner appropriate to a $90K window sticker. As Lexus notes, the interior is created by the takumi, Lexus’ master craftsmen. With carefully selected leathers complemented by wood trims, the ambience is rich while not straying far from the required functionality. There are interiors with more visual pizzazz — I’m thinking Infiniti’s QX80 available trims — but none that are quite so elegantly (almost quietly) executed.

If there’s a visual or functional disconnect, it’s in the size of the dash-mounted monitor. While not so visually dominating as Tesla’s Model X, this almost after-the-fact add seems discordant relative to the traditional vibe playing elsewhere, rather like the Queen wearing an Apple watch. But given the

LX’s girth, its Panoramic View Monitor, Multi-Terrain Monitor and, of course, Blind Spot Monitor work to offset the sheer bulk of the LX, along with the more limited mobility of an older demographic. (Of course, buyers could also opt for a smaller vehicle.)

Under the LX hood is a moderately sized, 5.7 liter V8 offering 383 horsepower and 403 lb-ft of twist; that torque is available at a modest 3600 rpm. Moving the LX’s 6,000 pounds through an 8-speed automatic, 60 comes up in a seamless 7.3 seconds, while moving in and out of traffic is as serene as you might hope it to be.

You, of course, don’t buy 6,000 pounds of anything for its efficiency, but the Lexus delivers an almost-respectable 13/18/15, which is about what my wife can get from her HEMI-equipped Grand Cherokee.

What separates the LX from — as a for instance — its RX 350 stablemate is its 7,000 pounds of towing capability, along with real off-road chops. No, we wouldn’t go boulder hopping in the LX 570, but with almost nine inches of ground clearance and a real low range, it can propel you capably down the fire road, or get you to those boulders. We like that duality, and you won’t get it in an all-wheel drive, car-based crossover.

At the end of the day, the Lexus LX 570 (and Toyota’s Land Cruiser counterpart) is near the end of its day. Since it sells to a global market, you’ll probably see a redesign, one which will hopefully hold on to the capability that makes Toyota’s Land Cruiser platform, well, a land cruiser. If you miss your chance to buy this one, consider pre-owned. For something built to last 20 years, you can capture the last 15 at a more-than-reasonable discount.

David Boldt brings years of experience in automotive retail sales and public relations to his automotive reporting.

More can be found at txGarage.com.

block, pickled beets, broccoli, red onion, olives, peppers and more. Potato salad, cole slaw, pasta salad and even meat is included to make it a heartier salad. I splurged on a glass of iced tea ($2.99), since Schobels makes delicious, strongly brewed tea.

There’s more to do at Schobels than just eat, though. Their lobby market displays a dizzying array of candies, homemade jams, preserves and other goodies for sale. I exercised will power by paying my check without buying anything else this time around. Not making promises about my next trip to Schobels sometime this fall. They are located at 2020 Milam St. in Columbus and are open every day from 6:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. More information at schobelsrestaurant.com.

Santa Claus visits Columbus every day and not just for Christmas. The Santa Claus Museum, 602 Washington St., is delightful looking with decorative candy cane poles outside. The 2,500 item Santa Claus collection of Mary Elizabeth Youens Hopkins (19131990) was donated to Columbus Historic Preservation Trust. The trust operates the museum but it’s only open by appointment. So be sure to call ahead (979-732-8385) if you’re ready to experience Christmas in July.

Jo Ann Holt is a long-time journalist, now writing about cars, entertainment and travel.

The 2019 Chevy Blazer proved the perfect vehicle for a recent road trip to south central Texas. My husband and I did a lot of driving, including an overnight stop at a Best Western in Schulenburg. We had an early morning meeting in Schulenburg, followed by a short trip to a ranch outside Columbus.

Driving the Blazer made the trip especially easy. Like all GM vehicles, the Blazer features OnStar. My favorite traveling companion (besides my husband), OnStar is available to connect you to a friendly, live person. They are eager to assist you in finding even hard-to-find places, which is reassuring when you are as directionally challenged as I am.

After dropping my husband off at the ranch for a Texas Outdoor Writers board meeting, I was happy to spend a few hours in Columbus. While I enjoyed exploring the town nestled on the Colorado River, I especially loved eating at a favorite restaurant, Schobels.

The welcome mat’s out all day at this friendly, family-owned restaurant.

Schobels is owned and operated by two brothers, Bob and Andy Schobel, and their wives Mary Jane and Donna. Their mom, Nolie (Nan) Schobel, instilled a love of good home-cooking in her sons.

The Schobel family has been feeding hungry road trippers and locals since 1979. It’s interesting to note that three Schobel sons, Matt, Aaron and Bo, played football for NFL teams.

The extensive menu features down-home, country cooking with GermanAmerican flavors. Schobels uses only the finest, freshfrom-the-farm ingredients.

Whether you order from the menu or go through the buffet line, prices are very reasonable. Since we had breakfast at our hotel, I decided on their soup and salad buffet ($7.99).

It was tough to ignore the crispy fried chicken, meatloaf and BBQ on the other end of the buffet line. The full buffet price is only $11.99 and includes desserts — which are always delicious at Schobels.

My favorite is their buttermilk pie.

I enjoyed a bowl of chicken soup with veggies and an overly heaped salad plate.

The salad bar has an array of veggies, spinach and lettuce mixes with homemade dressJO ANN HOLT / CHEVROLET ings like ranch, blue cheese Schobel's family restaurant (above) and the 2019 Chevy and thousand island. There’s Blazer (below). also a large cheddar cheese ROOM TO GROW cont'd from page 4

For any rooms you spend a lot of time in, pick something you'll love for a long time. Stay away from any colors or patterns that are out of your comfort zone.

You should also make sure to complement your wallpaper with painted walls, as a home where every wall is papered can be a turnoff to potential buyers.

If the latest designs in wallpaper today have caught your interest, but the time involved in putting them up makes

them a hard sell, consider having a professional install them. An interior designer can also work with you to pick out the best designs and the best contractors at the same time.

You may be interested to know that I have published blogs on a variety of design topics at the Chambers Interiors website. Reading a registered interior designer’s blog can help potential clients get a sense of their expertise. You can find our blog at our website, chambersinteriors.com.

KATYTRAILWEEKLY.COM

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July 5-11, 2019

By Candy Evans candace@candysdirt.com If you like to host big summer parties — and I mean big — this Preston Hollow luxury transitional is the house of your star-spangled dreams. Imagine watching fireworks from a water slide!

I don’t think I’ve ever seen a home that was more suited to entertainment. However, if you’re a homebody, you won’t ever want to leave, because this house has it all.

Allie Beth Allman listing agent Alex Perry must have felt like Bill Hader’s Stephon character on “Saturday Night Live” describing the latest hot nightclub as he told me about the amenities in this home.

“You don’t often find a three-acre estate in Preston Hollow with a creek in front, that is new construction, has a tennis court, theme park water slide, indoor basketball court and a two-story garage,” Perry said. And yes, it’s tall enough to put in car lifts if you need them.

There are 15,584 square feet to celebrate in and five huge bedrooms for recovery. We know how important bathrooms are when you have kids or a big party. This Preston Hollow luxury transitional has seven bathrooms and a powder bath!

Of course, there are elegant formal areas, but let’s get serious about

CANDY'S DIRT

This home, located at 9802 Inwood Road, is listed at $8.25 million. where the fun is going to happen. The open-plan family area is enormous.

Floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors allow for some serious indoor-outdoor living. Those doors open to a substantial screened porch with heaters for year-round enjoyment.

And the kitchen is perfection. It’s what I imagine is the dream kitchen for a celebrity chef who enjoys demonstrating their latest dish to pals!

The master bedroom is on the first floor with his-and-hers private steam showers, walk-in closets and individual studies. More floor-toceiling sliding glass doors open onto a covered porch overlooking the gorgeous backyard. Be sure to look up at the incredible barrel-vaulted ceiling.

In fact, look up in the master bath ceiling as well because the detail is extraordinary. The chandelier and view aren’t bad either! But the steam room takes the cake. I’m a bit worried I’d over steam laying in that Tropitone lounger!

Let’s get back to why this is such

Hammer and Nails

Getting ready to sell

By Stephan Sardone stephan@sardoneconstruction.com Conventional wisdom says that if you want to maximize the value of a home before selling, you sink money into the sink and appliances and a dining island and flooring and cabinets and backsplash and other kitch- Stephan Sardone en improvements. But that can be very expensive, and people these days are very picky about their kitchens and want to have their own signature look.

Some don’t want to inherit someone else’s vision, despite how new and expensive the upgrade may be.

The easy way to increase the value of your home and maximize profitability may be as simple as upgrading the drive-up appeal of the house. According to various reports, Zillow maintains that nearly 80 percent of sellers nationwide make at least one renovation or improvement to their home before a sale. Figures from HomeAdvisor state that as much as 10 percent can be added to your home sale price with the right improvements. Of course, market conditions take precedence.

I recently took some homeowner friends of mine to the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden. They are now empty-nesters and contemplating selling their hot market California home and downsizing with the possibility of relocating. They were salivating at the beautiful shrubbery, especially the perfectly maintained hedges. “We should do that in the front of the house,” my friend told his wife.

He is right. Their kitchen is livable and functional, but could use a major upgrade. But that would be best served by the new owners. Just simple tweaks to the front yard and porch — they live on a curb-less street in the hills — will add greater value to a home in a marketplace where houses are already going over list price despite the condition of the property.

Here are some considerations: Hedges. They trim the house. Hedges are easy to maintain and serve as a natural fence while providing added privacy.

New front windows. These days, windows are not only energy efficient; they can add a sleek look to the front

a great place for a party. There’s a wine room, tasting room and a home theater. That two-story garage doubles as an indoor basketball court, an absolutely genius idea.

We all covet privacy, and this Preston Hollow luxury transitional has it in spades. You could entertain the most prominent celebrity or politician here, and your neighbors would never have a clue. The home backs up on two sides to Ursuline Academy. If you have a school-age kiddo, they can just hop the fence, or you can install a lovely concealed door in the hedge!

“The detail in this home is incredible,” Perry said. “The finish out is top of the line. They’ve thought of everything.”

Perry has this incredible Preston Hollow luxury transitional at 9807 Inwood Road listed for $8.25 million.

CandysDirt.com is the only blog in Dallas for the truly real estate obsessed! Named by National Association of Real Estate Editors as the BEST Real Estate Blog in the country.

of the house without detracting from the overall look.

Add a tree/trees. Without children, the front lawn merely becomes a patch of grass. Large trees planted in the center of the lawn on each side of the walkway can add balance and beauty.

Mix in splashes of color. Line each side of the walkway with small, colorful plants that add vibrant color. Make sure that they blend in with the color or the house, not detract from it.

Hang shutters. If you have the room, window shutter can provide a bit of elegance.

Replace walkways. Make sure that bricks, gravel, concrete or whatever the source of your walkway is in pristine shape. A few misplaced bricks sends the wrong message to those enter the house for the first time.

Make the porch a gathering place. Use outdoor furniture, improve lighting, add speakers and even consider replacing the front door. You may want to consider adding on to the front porch with a deck extension if possible. This will make you home more inviting.

The great thing about these improvements is that they are quick to execute and won’t break the bank. You can do-it-yourself, but I would suggest hiring a professional licensed landscape contractor or designer to do the work for you and provide the type of look you desire.

Then you can concentrate on maintaining the look.

And who knows? It may turn out so well that you won’t want to leave after all.

Sardone Design-Build-Remodel is locally owned and operated. Sardone, his wife and two daughters are Lake Highlands residents.

KATYTRAILWEEKLY.COM

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x

July 5-11, 2019

Contact us at info@katytrailweekly.com with your Community Calendar Event.

July 5-7

3636 Turtle Creek Blvd.

Dallas, 75219 214-522-8499

Kalita Humphreys Theater – This provocative new musical pulls audiences inside the UpStairs Lounge, a vibrant ’70s gay bar in the French Quarter of New Orleans. The forgotten community comes to life when a young fashion designer from 2017 buys the abandoned space, setting off an exhilarating journey of seduction and self-exploration. Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. Sunday at 2 p.m. $25-$60.

July 5

1000 Lone Star Parkway Grand Prairie, 75050 972-263-7223

Lone Star Park – The celebration of America continues with live racing and an expanded Family Fun Park with bounce houses, face painters, tattoo artists, pony rides, a petting zoo and more. After the races conclude, there will be a world-class fireworks show choreographed to music. 5 p.m. $10-$30.

July 5

300 W. Las Colinas Blvd.

Irving, 75039 972-954-1459

The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory – The Summer Block Party Festival’s stage will play host to genre legends as well as today’s hottest breaking talent, upholding a five-year tradition and commitment to excellence in soul and R&B. The event will feature performances by headliner Jill Scott as well as Faith Evans and Tweet. 7:30 p.m. $22-$212.

July 5

1230 W. Davis St. Dallas, 75208 214-272-8346

The Kessler – This production stars international showgirl and Miss Tiki Oasis 2017, Di’ Lovely (San Diego), Queen of Burlesque 2014 title-holder Elle Dorado (New Orleans) and dynamo member of the Stage Door Johnnies Bazuka Joe (Chicago). 9 p.m. $25-$325.

July 6

3011 Gulden Lane Dallas, 75212 214-417-4512

Trinity Groves – On July 7, 2016, five police officers were killed and eight police officers were injured in the line of duty in an ambush on the Dallas Police Department, Dallas Area Rapid Transit Police and El Centro College Police. In observance of the three-year anniversary of the ambush, Run For The Blue Dallas will feature a 5K and 1 mile run/walk, and ceremonies honoring fallen and injured officers will be held. 8 a.m. FREE!

July 6

1902 Main St. Dallas, 75201 214-744-1270

Main Street Garden – “Sesame Street” will celebrate their 50th anniversary with a stop in Dallas as part of a nationwide tour. The fun, interactive family festival and stage show will feature a giant maze, a treasure dig, photo opportunities, sweepstakes, a cookies-and-milk snack station and more. 10 a.m. FREE! (with registration).

July 6

1818 1st Ave. Dallas, 75210 214-421-1111

Dos Equis Pavilion – Rock and Roll Hall of Fame guitarist Carlos Santana comes back to Dallas with his band as part of his “Supernatural Now” tour. The tour commemorates two of the most important milestones in the iconic guitarist’s career: the 20th anniversary of his groundbreaking, multiple Grammy-winning album, “Supernatural” and the 50th anniversary of his momentous performance at Woodstock. He will be joined by The Doobie Brothers. 7 p.m. Prices vary.

WALLACE THE BRAVE

PHOTO OF THE WEEK Checkered Past Winery at 1409 S. Lamar St. Suite 008 is offering four wine flights for $20 all summer. On Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., flights are $16 plus free live jazz.

Send us a photo on Facebook and it may be featured here!

CHECKERED PAST WINERY

by Will Henry

KATYTRAILWEEKLY.COM

PAGE 8

July 5-11, 2019

movie trailer

Buddy-action comedy formula is back in ‘Stuber’

WALT DISNEY STUDIOS MOTION PICTURES

Kumail Nanjiani and Dave Bautista star in “Stuber.”

By Chic DiCiccio @chiccywood The buddy action-comedies that pair a grizzled, overly serious straight man with a witty, one-liner machine are decades old. “Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid” pretty much invented the genre and movies like “48 Hours,” “Lethal Weapon,” and “The Heat” have been emulating it ever since.

There’s several ingredients that

make those films successful… and “Stuber” kind of has some of them.

The idea of a timid Uber driver named Stu (Kumail Nanjiani) essentially being kidnapped by a grizzled LAPD Detective with the fantastic character name of Vic Manning (Dave Bautista) is funny all on its own. Unfortunately for “Stuber,” that’s pretty much the only joke in the entire movie and after awhile, even

suspended disbelief can’t prevent where this plot goes.

The entire premise is based on Vic Manning’s recent Lasik surgery rendering him blind, which forces him to use Uber to hunt down Oka Teijo (Iko Uwais), a cop killing heroin dealer. Vic has been after Teijo for several years and he’s gone rogue since the case was recently taken from him by his Captain (Mira Sorvino, cashing a check).

Stu has his own issues, ranging from a horrible boss at a sporting goods store to racist and rude Uber customers. Stu’s main dilemma is being unable to tell his best friend Becca (Betty Gilpin) that he’s in love with her for fear of rejection.

Stu and Vic’s 24-hour adventure takes them to several crazy Los Angeles spots, ranging from a sriracha factory to a male strip club. Some gags, like Stu’s unorthodox interrogation techniques, really take off. However, the overload of Uber-related jokes feels more

like product placement than comedy. It’s very hit-or-miss with the misses being devoid of anything funny.

Nanjiani and Bautista are a perfect pairing and they wonderfully play off each other.

Bautista seems to know the perfect amount of time to wait before replying to Nanjiani’s quips. There are moments when Nanjiani is so good at being awkward that it’s tough to decide between laughing out loud or cringing.

When “Stuber” falters, it’s due to a poorly conceived and contrived script from Tripper Clancy. There’s an entire subplot with Vic’s daughter, Nicole (Natalie Morales), that exists only to show that Vic isn’t an attentive father. There’s a plot twist that feels like it wants to be gasp-worthy, but it disappears as quickly as it’s introduced. There’s also the underlying fact that Stu, despite saying several times that he’s leaving Vic on his own, never, ever does and it simply defies

logic.

Director Micheal Dowse has a few intense action scenes in “Stuber,” with the opening hotel sequence being the highlight. There’s a car chase with action that is played for laughs that mostly succeeds as well. Uwais, an amazing stunt performer, is mostly wasted in fight scenes that lose their geography and inexplicably do not highlight his skills.

While “Stuber” earns its hard R-rating due to the salty language and shockingly bloody violence, there’s no edginess to it. Sight gags and pop culture references can only go so far and the comedy is actually a bit too polite. Naturally, Stu’s race is a target for jokes and Nanjiani plays them beautifully, but nothing really pushes the envelope other than the over the top violence.

“Stuber” has the framework for what should have been a better movie. It isn’t by any means poor as much as a missed opportunity.

Uncle barky's bites

“The Loudest Voice’ speaks to Crowe’s acting ability

By Ed Bark unclebarky@verizon.net Making up is hard to do — or so it would seem in turning Russell Crowe into Roger Ailes.

Showtime’s seven-part “The Loudest Voice,” newly airing on Sundays at 9 p.m., manages to be seamlessly convincing, though. A combination of the actor’s weight gains and some remarkably convincing prosthetics have put Crowe in fine

form for a role that few could have imagined him playing. The Oscar-winner from “Gladiator” brings the combative and controversial Fox News Channel (FNC) founder alive, even if Ailes is first seen lying dead next to an empty prescription pill bottle. He lived to be 77, but died in disgrace less than a year after resigning from FNC in 2016 when allegations of workplace sexual harassment became public via a lawsuit by former

FNC anchor Gretchen Carlson.

Carlson, played by Naomi Watts, is only fleetingly seen in the three episodes made available for review. And that’s not until hour three, when she approaches Ailes at a party and successfully coaxes him to set up an interview for her with then Republican presidential candidate John McCain.

The primary source material is Gabriel Sherman’s 2014 book The Loudest

Voice in the Room: How the Brilliant, Bombastic Roger Ailes Built Fox News – and Divided a Country.

Crowe’s performance begins with a voice-over that accompanies his corpse.

“I know what people are going to say about me,” he narrated. “I can pretty much pick the words for ya. Right wing. Paranoid. Fat. Russell Crowe as Rogers Ailes.

And I’m not going to argue with them. I am will be bankrolling FNC. a conservative. I do like Episode 1 also sows to eat. And I believe in the seeds of Ailes’ predthe power of television. atory bent. He recruits Giving people what they blonde beauty Laurie want, even if they don’t Luhn (Annabelle Wallis), know they want it.” ostensibly as one of FNC’s By this time, talent bookers. Primarily “Loudest Voice” has rethough, she’s his miswound back to 1995, with tress. And by the time of Crowe as Ailes first seen Episode 3, a repulsed and filling his face in a diner self-drugged Luhn is being during the Christmas ordered to “dance for me” season. It’s then on to a in her bra and panties face-to-face meeting with while Ailes shoots video NBC CEO Jack Welch and later grunts while she (John Finn), who’s droporally gratifies him. ping Ailes as head of both Episode 2 deals at CNBC and spinoff netsome length with the work America’s Talking shocking events of Sept. (which soon would be11, 2001, with Ailes gradcome MSNBC). ually convincing Murdoch “Whatever they’re that “we’ve got a big part saying I did, it didn’t hap- to play. This is our time, pen,” Ailes said vaguely Rupert. This is our time.” before Welch refers to an It’s also time for Ailes ongoing HR investigation to conspire with Vice of whatever he’s accused President Dick Cheney of doing. Even so, he re(John Rue) in terms of ceives an affectionate orchestrating a plan to sendoff from his staff, invade Iraq. “You’re a many of them in tears. patriot, Roger,” the veep Crowe is constantly told him before speaking on camera as Ailes, chorat a big public gathertling, yelling, cursing ing and mouthing some and even trying a little of the words Ailes has tenderness with CNBC hand-crafted for him. producer Beth Tilson Episode 3 advances to (Sienna Miller), who 2008, with Barack Obama will become his third on a roll despite Ailes’ and last wife. His emoand FNC’s best efforts tions are fully conveyed, to put McCain in office. with no hint of restricAlthough he admires his tion by those aforemenmilitary service and comtioned prosthetics. This portment as a prisoner is Ailes unleashed, not of war, McCain’s “mesencased, with Crowe actsage is about as limp as ing up various storms in Liberace’s handshake,” Sunday’s rousing opening Ailes groused. hour. He’s already savorBy the end of this ing the idea of screwing hour, Obama is president Welch with a competing but Ailes has secured a cable news network that prime consolation prize will corner an untapped — “full editorial control” market by disseminatof Fox News. During a ing “an American mesvisit to his hometown of sage wrapped up in a Warren, Ohio, he’s treated conservative viewpoint.” as a hero and vowed in a And he has a receptive speech that “together we ear in Rupert Murdoch can make American great (solid work by Simon again.”

McBurney), whose worldThis seems like more wide News Corporation than a bit of a stretch in

SHOWTIME

terms of coining Donald Trump’s 2016 clarion call and FNC’s full-blown partnership with his eventual presidency.

Unaware of his infidelity, Elizabeth “Beth” Ailes likewise is her husband’s true-believing partner, sharing his rightwing views and enjoying the creature comforts his status has provided them.

Their little son, Zachary (now 19), is given the daily chore of daily raising and lowering the American flag outside his parents’ palatial suburban home.

He probably should spare himself from watching any of “Loudest Voice,” particularly the aforementioned Episode 3.

“Loudest Voice” otherwise is riveting at the start and somewhat less so as time marches on.

Crowe’s portrayal of Ailes of course is the major drawing card, and he is nothing if not fully immersed. The characters around him can’t help but pale in comparison, but it would help if some of the supporting roles were more vividly acted.

McBurney comes closest as Murdoch while Miller is capable as the Mrs. who so far knows nothing of his mistress and other transgressions.

The current mainstays of Fox News Channel seem more likely to ignore the film than openly denounce it on the air. After all, who at his old network would want to reopen the gaping wound that Roger Ailes became? It’s easier to keep blasting away at the 20 Democrats currently running for President.

Of that Ailes would approve.

Ed Bark, who runs the TV website unclebarky. com, is a past member of the national Peabody awards board.

July 5-11, 2019

KATYTRAILWEEKLY.COM

PAGE 9

DOTTY’S TRUE TEXAS CUISINE

recipe of the week

By Dotty Griffith

By Dotty Griffith

Culinary café/bakery comes to Dallas

department of El Rancho Supermercado pastries, including the familiar such as on Gaston Avenue in Old East Dallas. croissants, mini pizzas and fruit tarts; dotty.griffith@yahoo.com There are a also less familiar, variety of pizzas Guatemalan-style There’s a Guatemalan culinary “emon the menu, inbread, separatbassy” on McKinney Avenue. San Martín cluding one with ed in thick slices Artisan Bakery and Restaurant is so loroco.

That’s your from broad, relaauthentic it interprets Euro-American second opportutively flat loaves. dishes in a very Latin way. nity to taste the San Martín’s masThough new to Dallas, the San herb.

The pizza we ter baker, Leonel Martín concept has 41 stores in tried was topped Rodriguez, came Guatemala and eight in El Salvador. generously with from Guatemala Number 50 is the first in the U.S. tiny crumbles of to train local staff “We are excited to have Dallas as bacon over cheese. for the opening. the launchpad for our U.S. operations,” Swirls of balsamic Glass cases says Gabriel Castillo, son of founder, vinegar gave this display a variety Andrés Castillo. Head of U.S. operations, combination charof cakes, includGabriel adds, “Spending time here when acter and attitude ing very-American my brother attended SMU, we fell in Oreo Cake and love with the city and thought the dining different from typical American those with more scene presented exciting opportunities. or Italian pizzas.

Latin flourishWe hope to open additional operations in There’s also es like Chocolate North Dallas and beyond, perhaps later a margherita Dulce de Leche this year.” pizza, one with and Tres Leches.

The location serves breakfast, lunch San Martin Artisan Bakery and Restaurant pepperoni, as Of course, cusand dinner; gourmet coffee any time; has well as Hawaiian tom orders are Cobanero Diavalo Pasta. a bakery and cake shop big enough to be with pineapple, of welcome. its own store and sells select Guatemalan course.

We tried the strawberry cake, layers crafts.

Sopa de elote, corn soup, tasted like of pink cake separated by sliced strawThe wide-ranging menu includes a bowl of summer.

Fresh corn pureed to berries and whipped cream.

The top was American and Guatemalan breakfast a creamy texture garnished with fresh all whipped cream and strawberry slices, dishes. On our kernels makes a fairy tale of a cake. complementayou think you The wide-ranging menu also inry tasting visit, picked it in the cludes beef carpaccio, prepared with we tried Eggs field.

This is one Latin flavors of lime vinaigrette (see Loroco, scramof the purest corn recipe) and pasta dishes such as San bled eggs with flavors I’ve ever Martín’s signature Cobanera Diavola loroco, an edible experienced.

Pasta, penne with chicken and shrimp flower bud naTostadas in a spicy chile sauce with mushrooms. tive to Central Guatemalan style The sauce is made using the cobanero America. Fluffy, are very different chile, from the region of Cobán, Alta creamy eggs from Tex-Mex, Verapaz, in Guatemala. It packs a spicy were cooked with a variety of toppunch with deep flavor and is a favorite green sprigs that pings stacked on in Guatemalan dishes. looked and tasta crisp tortilla.

In addition to custom coffee drinks, ed like asparagus The Guatemalan beverages include a variety of horchatas tips. The plate ininterpretation is such as Horchata Rosa de Jamaica made cluded fried plansimple, crisp chips with hibiscus. tains and a servspread with a thin ing of mashed San Martin Artisan Bakery and Restaurant layer of mashed SAN MARTÍN ARTISAN BAKERY black beans thick Apple Tart with Ice Cream and Caramel Sauce. black bean, guaAND RESTAURANT enough to hold camole or salsa.

3120 McKinney Ave. the shape of a More snack than meal.

Dallas, 75204 quenelle, oval like an egg.

On the bakery side, rows of gleam469-802-6652 Shopping note: Curious about loroing chrome shelves hold breads and sanmartinbakery.com co? I found fresh loroco in the produce

Beef in the raw

dotty.griffith@yahoo.com European and American influences are strong on the menu of the Guatemalan restaurant, San Martín. Yet the interpretations are decidedly Latin.

This recipe for Italian-inspired carpaccio, thin slices of raw beef, uses the same ingredients as the dish served at San Martín Artisan Bakery and Restaurant.

LATIN BEEF CARPACCIO 8 ounces beef tenderloin, from tip end 1 tablespoon shaved red onion 1 tablespoon capers, drained 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon pepper 2 tablespoons shredded Parmesan cheese 2 lime wedges Wrap the beef tenderloin in plastic wrap and chill in the freezer for 2 hours.

Using a very sharp knife, cut the beef across the grain into 1/8-inch thick slices.

Place slices in single layer on sheets of plastic wrap. Top with another piece of plastic and gently pound the meat with a mallet or roll with heavy rolling pin until paper thin.

Arrange the meat on a platter with edges overlapping. Scatter red onion and capers evenly over the meat.

Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.

Scatter Parmesan cheese evenly over the meat. Serve immediately with lime wedges for squeezing lime juice over carpaccio.

Makes 4 servings.

SAN MARTIN

Latin Beef Carpaccio.

KATYTRAILWEEKLY.COM

PAGE 10

July 5-11, 2019

Our Favorite Restaur ants American — Homestyle Beck’s Prime 5931 Forest Ln. 972-661-8681 Bubba’s Cooks Country 6617 Hillcrest 214-373-6527 Mama’s Daughters’ Diner 2014 Irving Blvd.

214-742-8646 Riverside Grill 940 Riverfront Blvd. 214-748-2700 Asian — Japanese — Sushi Blue Sushi Sake Grill 7859 Walnut Hill, #100 972-677-7887 Sushi House 5619 W. Lovers Ln. 214-350-2100 Sushi Kyoto II 6429 Hillcrest Ave. 214-520-9991 Ten Ramen 1818 Sylvan Ave. 972-803-4400 WaiWai Kitchen — Sushi, Noodles 4315 Lemmon Ave. 214-520-8868 Bakery — Desserts — Ice Cream Celebrity Café & Bakery 10720 Preston Rd,#1016 214-373-0783 Crème de la Cookie 6025 Royal Ln. 214-363-4766 6706 Snider Plaza 214-265-5572 Einstein Bros. Bagels 3827 Lemmon Ave. 214-526-5221 6011 Royal Ln. 214-265-1435 6109 Berkshire Ln, #A 214-691-2445 Gigi’s Cupcakes 5450 W. Lovers, #130 214-352-2253 Highland Park Soda Fountain 3229 Knox St. 214-521-2126 Marble Slab Creamery 3001 Knox St., #103 214-219-0300

6130 Berkshire Ln. 214-369-5566 Mojo Donuts 6522 Lemmon Ave. 214-357-5154 Mustang Donuts 6601 Hillcrest Ave. 214-363-4878 The Original Cupcakery 2222 McKinney, #230 214-855-0003 Paciugo 3699 McKinney Ave. 214-219-2665 Pokey O’s 3034 Mockingbird 214-987-1200 Top Pot Doughnuts 8611 Hillcrest, #195 469-232-9911 Yummy Donuts 4355 Lovers Ln. 214-520-7680 Bar-B-Q Aloha Hawaiian Barbecue 5601 Lemmon, A-1 214-521-8868 Big Al’s Smokehouse Barbecue 3125 Inwood Rd. 214-350-9445 Dickey’s Barbecue Pit 2324 McKinney Ave. 469-248-3149 Katy Trail Ice House 3127 Routh St. 214-468-0600 Peggy Sue Bar-B-Q 6600 Snider Plaza 214-987-9188 Smokey John’s Bar-B-Que 1820 W. Mockingbird 214-352-2752 Bars, Pubs & Taverns 6th Street Bar / Uptown 3005 Routh St. 214-965-0962 Big Al’s McKinney Ave. Tavern 2907 McKinney Ave. 214-969-1984 British Beverage Co. 2800 Routh St., #115 214-922-8220 The Corner Bar & Grill 4830 McKinney 214-219-8002

The Ginger Man - Uptown 2718 Boll St. 214-754-8771 The Idle Rich Pub 2614 McKinney Ave. 214-965-9926 Nickel and Rye 2523 McKinney Ave. 214-389-2120 The Quarter Bar 3301 McKinney Ave. 214-754-0106 Time Out Tavern 5101 W. Lovers Ln. 214-956-9522 Uptown Pub & Grill 3605 McKinney 214-522-5100 Windmill Lounge 5320 Maple Ave. 214-443-7818

This is half of Our Favorite Restaurants.

See the full list at our website: KatyTrailWeekly.com

2525 Inwood Rd., #123 214-350-9445 Original Pancake House 2900 Lemmon Ave. 214-528-7215 4343 W. NW Hwy,#375 214-351-2012 Two Sisters 3111-C Monticello 214-526-1118

4001 Lemmon Ave. 214-521-2070 Hunky’s Old-Fashioned Hamburgers 3930 Cedar Springs 214-522-1212 Jake’s Hamburgers 2702 McKinney, #101 214-754-8001 Jersey Mike’s Subs 3001 Knox St. 214-520-7827 5301 W. Lovers Ln. 214-350-7611 8411 Preston Rd., #118 214-691-7827 Mooyah Burger 6713 W. N.W. Hwy. 214-987-2666 Potbelly Sandwich Shop 5921 Forest Ln., #100 972-392-7771 Smashburger 4235 W. NW Hwy, #100 972-220-1222 Snuffer’s 8411 Preston Rd, #112 214-265-9911 Subway — SMU area 6935 Hillcrest 214-444-9068 Village Burger — West Village 3699 McKinney 214-443-9998

Burgers, Deli & Sandwiches Blues Burgers 1820 W. Mockingbird 214-750-9100 BGR — The Burger Joint 3001 Knox St., #108 469-941-4471 Burger House 6913 Hillcrest 214-361-0370 Chip’s Old-Fashioned Hamburgers 4530 W. Lovers Ln. 214-691-2447 East Hampton Sandwich Co. 6912 Snider Plaza 214-363-2888 Gazeebo Burgers 5950 Royal Ln. 214-368-3344 Goff’s Hamburgers 6401 Hillcrest 214-520-9133 Great American Hero

Wild About Harry’s — Katy Trail Serving up Harry’s mother's recipe of creamy frozen custard in many flavors made daily, award-winning hot dogs & a friendly atmosphere, Harry's has become the place to eat and relax for everyone. Open: 11 a.m. — 10 p.m., 7 days a week. www.wildaboutharrys.com 4527 Travis St. 214-520-3113 Chinese Howard Wang’s China Grill 3223 Lemmon Ave. 214-954-9558 4343 N.W. Hwy, #345 214-366-1606 Royal China 6025 Royal Ln., #201 214-361-1771

Breakfast and/or Lunch Bailey’s Cafe

THEATER cont'd from page 1

poet’s use of chance meetings, lustful youths, revenge, power mad lords, a clown, a wrestler and an enchanted forest shouldn’t surprise us as most of those ingredients are all around.

Due to the number of ingredients, the plot is almost too complicated to explain — but the story is still imminently approachable in this production and much of that is thanks to the masterful Sara J. Romersberger. While billed as dance & fight choreographer, she helped the actors “Suit the action to the word, the word to the action” by coaching their movement throughout. The lines of this play are heavy with allusion and double entendre, so Ms. Romersberger coaching and actor’s execution are critical to the success of the show,

Wang’s Chinese Café 6033 Luther Ln. 214-265-1688 Coffee & Specialties Drip Coffee Co. 4343 W. Lovers Ln. 214-599-7800 Oak Lawn Coffee 2720 Oak Lawn 214-219-5511 Sip Stir Cafe 3800 McKinney, #180 214-443-9100 Starbucks 2801 Allen St., #180 214-965-9696 3216 Knox St. 214-520-2273 4343 W. NW Hwy. 214-654-0704 Union Coffee Shop 5622 Dyer St. 214-242-9725 Eclectic Angela’s Cafe 7979 Inwood Rd. 214-904-8122 Bread Winners Café & Bakery 3301 McKinney Ave. 214-754-4940 5560 W. Lovers, #260 214-351-3339 Buzzbrews 4334 Lemmon Ave. 972-521-4334 Café Brazil 3847 Cedar Springs. 214-461-8762 Café Express 5600 W. Lovers, #109 214-352-2211 Denny’s 2030 Market Ctr. Blvd.

214-749-6215 Dick’s Last Resort 2211 N. Lamar, #100 214-747-0001 Eden Rest. & Pastries 4416 W. Lovers Ln. 972-267-3336 Henry’s Majestic 4900 McKinney Ave. 469-893-9400 Lucky’s Cafe

and this was the most clearly presented “As You Like It” I’ve seen on stage.

One of the techniques she used was to build on Rhonda Goodman’s excellent costume design: the characters frequently shifting their clothes expressing discomfort in their state. We saw this most pronounced with both Alison Pistorius as the lead character Rosalind when she was dressed as a man in the forest of Arden and in Edward Houser’s Oliver. This added a dimension to Oliver’s character that is often missed in other productions of the play and brings clarity to his later desire to escape a courtly life.

What can you say about David Novinski except good luck to anyone else auditioning for “the fool” roles. He was 100 percent committed to the physical comedy of the

MAYOR cont'd from page 1

SOLUTION TO THIS WEEK’S PUZZLE

nine years as member of the Texas House of Representatives where he represented district 100 which covers parts of Dallas and Mesquite. During his tenure in the house, he successfully fought for the removal of a confederate plaque at the state capitol and advocated to decrease voter suppression.

He has publicly stated that he would not be resigning as state representative to run for mayor.

He first announced his candidacy for mayor in January promising to bring civility to city council and to help foster a council that works cooperatively to solve issues rather than combative and adversarial as he believed the current city council to be.

“I believe I offer the citizens of Dallas a unique combination of experience, energy and creativity when it comes to solving problems, along with a proven track record of working well with people from varying backgrounds in order to accomplish great things,” Johnson said in a statement at the time.

During his campaign, Johnson promised voters that he would work to build Dallas’s tax base by attracting businesses and attempting to boost economic development, particularly in South Dallas. He also spoke LAW cont'd from page 3

12. Method of payment 13. Payment of business or traveling expenses 14. Furnishing tools and materials 15. Significant investment 16. Working for more than one firm at a time 17. Making services

Katy Trail Weekly 214-27-TRAIL • info@katytrailweekly.com

214-522-3500 214-730-0596 214-871-2346 469-917-7140

Ethiopian Dallul 2515 Inwood Rd, #117 214-353-0805 French Rise No 1 Salon de Souffle 5360 W. Lovers, #220 214-366-9900 Toulouse Café & Bar 3314 Knox St. 214-520-8999 Whisk Crepes Café 1888 Sylvan Ave. 469-353-9718 German Kuby’s Sausage House 6601 Snider Plaza 214-363-2231 Greek Greek Isles 5934 Royal Ln. 214-234-7662 Little Greek 9665 N. Central Exwy.

214-696-1234 Do you have a favorite area restaurant or bar you want to see listed in this Directory? If so, please call: 214-27-TRAIL (214-278-7245)

fool Touchstone and had the audience rolling throughout the play. Additionally, Whitney Holotik as Celia, Walker Delk as Jaques de Boys, Dhruv Ingeyer as Silvius and Sakyiwaa Baah as Phoebe were comedically pitch perfect and earned all their laughs. Ethan Norris as Duke Frederick/Duke Senior and T.A. Taylor as Jaques provide the basso continuo that balances the play’s comedy and each were terrific.

“As You Like It” is running in repertory with “Shakespeare in Love.”

And though the latter is in modern English, with the tight direction of Elizabeth Kirkland and (to reiterate) wonderful movement choreography of Sara J. Romersberger, this play is just as “approachable” and quite a lovely way to spend a summer evening.

about his plan to address Dallas’s severely understaffed police force. He plans to bring pay increases to police officers, particularly at the lower end of the pay scale and to secure their pensions.

He has stated he plans to pay for this with money accrued through his efforts to build the tax base.

When Election Day rolled around on May 4, Johnson earned the most votes out of 11 candidates, but because he did not secure a majority, it went into a runoff election between him and the second-place winner Scott Griggs. Johnson then won the runoff on June 8 by a margin of 11.2 percent.

At his inauguration, Johnson laid out his plan for Dallas for the coming years.

This included expanding full-day public pre-K, improving access to affordable childcare in Dallas and strengthening the city’s workforce.

“Let’s work together to improve our public schools and let’s work together to develop a more skilled workforce to lift our fellow Dallasites out of poverty and make our city more prosperous and equitable,” he said.

William K. Skipworth is a reporter born and raised in Dallas, Texas. He currently studies journalism at the University of Missouri in Columbia. You can find him on twitter @WillSkipworth.

available to general public 18. Right to discharge 19. Right to terminate 20. Realization of profit or loss No one factor is controlling. The most important is whether the employee is under the control of the employer with respect to

THIS WEEK’S SUDOKU SOLUTION

Advertise in

3531 Oak Lawn The Rustic 3656 Howell St. Stoneleigh P 2926 Maple Ave. Street's Fine Chicken 3857 Cedar Springs

how the work will be done and when the work is to be done, whereas an independent contractor is not under the control of the employer except as to the end result of the work. The independent contractor is in control of the work and how it is to be done.

The above is a small summary of the issue concerning whether someone one is an employee or independent contractor. If you are faced with this issue, consult a professional who understands the rules.

Larry Jones focuses his practice on IRS tax controversy matters. He is of Counsel to Freeman Law PLLC and also Director of the Tax Clinic at the SMU Dedman School of Law. Larry can be reached at larry@larryjones.com or 214-696-2661.

KATYTRAILWEEKLY.COM

July 5-11, 2019

PAGE 11

Travel

Suzhou is Shanghai’s Fort Worth

MICHAEL WALD

Humble Administrator's Garden in Suzhou.

By Michael Wald wald.world@yahoo.com Suzhou, close to sprawling Shanghai, is what Fort Worth is to Dallas. The Chinese call it a small city; it has “only” 11 million people.

It takes about an hour to get from Shanghai to Suzhou, given the sprawl, and from Suzhou to Shanghai’s Pudong International Airport, it takes one and a half hours. But the people who live in Suzhou love it for its “small” size — it “only” takes about an hour to get from one side of the city to the other — and it still has everything you want in your “town.”

Not generally on the tourist itinerary, Suzhou isn’t particularly pretty, although it is known as the “Venice of the East” for its outstanding ancient city and wonderful Chinese garden. Chinese tourists flock here on vacation. Maybe they know something foreigners do not.

Suzhou can’t base its achievements on being a center of government either, as it isn’t the capital of the province. It is regarded as a well-functioning, business-oriented city, similar to Dallas in that way, with its giant neighbor, Shanghai, close by.

Downtown Suzhou is developed on two sides of a lake at its center. Modern buildings in both places are surrounded by streets closed to traffic on which one neon-lit, modern restaurant after another tries to draw in customers. One side of the lake has a convention center whose patrons keep the restaurants in business. The other side has the new Suzhou Center Mall, a huge, luxury shopping center with all the American brands represented and spanning the lower floors of the iconic, inverted U-shaped high-rise office building that symbolizes Suzhou.

At night both sides of the lake seem to compete for the best lighting of the buildings.

Both are magnificent, so I declare a tie.

Suzhou gets its reputation as the Venice

A Dallas Institution With A Worldwide Reputation

of the East because in its ancient quarter known as Xietang an extensive canal system runs parallel to a cobblestone pedestrian roadway that once served horse-drawn vehicles but is only wide enough today to accommodate motorcycles. On the other side of the road are shops and homes. The area dates from the 13th century during the Song Dynasty, and retains its original look and feel. In fact, many of the buildings have never been renovated. Do not visit during holidays, as the streets are so jam-packed that you can hardly move.

The Humble Administrator’s Garden in Suzhou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is reputed to be one of the four best in China.

This garden dates from 1509 during the Ming Dynasty. A Chinese garden is a work of art made with living things. The artistry is to take into account how a plant will grow over time, creating visual landscapes and waterscapes that look good in all seasons. Some of the scenes here are among the most world’s most stunning in their simple beauty.

The I.M. Pei designed museum in Suzhou houses some great ancient pieces from the many dynasties that ruled China.

One of my favorite parts of this museum are the window views overlooking Pei-created landscapes strategically placed to create a calming effect throughout the museum.

My host in Suzhou took me to a noodle restaurant that has been in existence for more than 500 years where I had the most delicious rendition of noodles, a popular Chines dish, that I have ever had. We also experienced dumpling restaurants, hotpots and Suzhou’s specialty, a fish fried with its mouth open, served in a restaurant known throughout China and so popular that it needs three large floors to seat its customers.

Reservations required.

An aspect of Suzhou that fascinated me is the use of building exteriors as super-sized computer screens to broadcast light shows, advertisements and pictures. The hotel in which I stayed had this technology. From inside the room, you detect nothing; but outside the light is so bright it is like daytime.

In the areas of Suzhou where many buildings have this astounding technology, it seems like there’s perpetual daylight.

Michael Wald is a travel specialist with special expertise in Panama adventure travel. He blogs about travel and other musings at www.UntraveledPlaces.com.

Follow him @UntraveledPlace and see where he is off to next.

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