Gentleman: Stop Your Engines and Open Your Windows!
Hello, FORT WORTH FOOD PARK!!! As a devout follower of Food Network’s "The Great Food Truck Race," which recently completed its second season, I was thrilled to find out that I could scratch road trip to NYC so that I can consume a grilled cheese sandwich bought off a truck from my to-do list (OK, I still want to do that, but you know what I mean). Heck, hitting the various food trucks in Austin (which has had its own race representative), has typically been a highlight of any of my trips down I-35. Now, a north Texas denizen has to trek no further than ...
Plano, TX – The Capital of Many Things (But Not Cavities)
A recent survey in Men’s Health ranks Plano as the third best city for men based on “health,” “life” and “fitness.” Here’s the deal: it’s really hard to decipher how it is that the periodical came to this conclusion, other than they claim to have measured 37 categories. And, I can’t tell you what those 37 categories are, because after perusing the article for a good 15-20 minutes, I gave up trying to figure out the math that went into this oh, so scientific survey. What I can tell you is that Plano finished first in weight training, based on ...
Greenberg Turkey – It’s What’s For The Holidays!
Greenberg Smoked Turkeys, a long-running East Texas family tradition, aren’t just for Thanksgiving anymore. The tradition began in the 1940’s when a Tyler man who regularly smoked meats for local families and friends shipped several dozen turkeys by train to a Dallas oilman who fell in love with the hickory fire slow-cooked bird. The Tyler-based culinary institution now ships to around 200,000 customers each holiday season. Families not only devour Greenberg’s birds at holiday gatherings these days, though. It’s now become commonplace to have the turkeys shipped as gifts to coworkers and friends. The six to fifteen pound turkeys, ranging ...
The Miracle League is Just That – Miraculous.
A couple of years ago I, more or less accidentally, stumbled into volunteering for the Miracle League of Frisco. For the following several weeks, I had more meaningful Saturday mornings than I had ever had to that point in my life. I haven't been able to devote the time needed to be a valuable contributor in the two years since, but I know that a time will come, sooner than later hopefully, where I'll excitedly rejoin the ranks of the "Bowling Buddies" in Frisco on Saturday mornings. If you're scratching your head wondering what I'm talking about, let me give you ...
BIG TEXAS SHOW PREVIEWS!
In this coming week or two following the Turkey Day that's just passed, there will be some notable bands and tours cutting through our state as a part of some really major tours. Wilco will make their way into Dallas on November 29th and into Austin on December 1st, for example. That's pretty big, right? Well, Wilco's great, but things get even more epic and more arena-rocking in the week after Jeff Tweedy and roll through. Perhaps the biggest, most anticipated concert tour of the year will hit our state once Jay-Z and Kanye West bring their Watch The Throne show to town. ...
Rockin’ The Lens: The Jayhawks
It's been a few weeks, but what a set of pics to come roaring back with. The seminal alt-country band The Jayhawks have got the original line-up back together and are touring behind a really solid new album, Mockingbird Time. Sadly, I couldn't personally make it to their November 16th show at the Granada Theater in Dallas, but thankfully, our intrepid rock photog, David Heidle could and did. Enjoy the shots...
Capital of Books & Records?
A few weeks ago, our resident funny man, Dave Little, mentioned that when he hits Austin, he really digs making trips to both Waterloo Records and to Book People. Both independently owned store-fronts are more or less treasured Austin landmarks. With that said, however, you don't really hear them mentioned in the same breath as the South Congress Bats, Barton Springs, The State Capital Building, or even the glorious den of iniquity that is Sixth Street when it comes to the standard, and perhaps tired, must-see Austin attractions. The sad fact of the matter is that it had been way too ...
This Week’s Video Gold: The Dirty River Boys
Dirty River Boys - "Carnival Lights" from Compound Productions, LLC on Vimeo. Who doesnt love stumbling onto something new? I've read a bit about this trio from El Paso recently, and wouldn't you know? I clicked over to their website and the above video was waiting for me to view. Good stuff. These guys are a part of what is an encouraging trend of young, "Red Dirt" acts that have a distinctive roots emphasis. Which is better than the Def Lepperd leanings that many young Red Dirt rockers are displaying these days. In fact, for those in the Dallas area, this holiday ...
Writing From The Lip: What If…?
I would like to be able to tell each and every one of you that I will always tell the truth and do the right thing in every situation. As I look you in the eye. With my hand placed on the Bible. I know some folks like to swear on a stack of Bibles, but I don't think that quantity really matters in this case. I'm a "less is more" kind of a guy. And I couldn't swear on my parent's graves, because they're both still living. I'm drifting from my point. That happens quite a bit. But if we ...
Fun Fun Fun Fest is Finished!
So, a couple of weeks ago, at the Fun Fun Fun Fest in Austin, thousands were treated to some blistering performances that were every bit as extreme as had been promised. With metal, electronic dance, hip-hop and alternative comedy acts making up a large portion of the weekend long bill, extreme is the only way to properly describe the sets that took place on four different stages over the course of three days. Check out my article from that week's Dallas Observer, and check out a few more thoughts below... [caption id="attachment_18661" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="The first set I took in at FFF Fest; Big ...
More Recent Squawker Blog Entries:
Gentleman: Stop Your Engines and Open Your Windows!
Hello, FORT WORTH FOOD PARK!!! As a devout follower of Food Network’s “The Great Food Truck Race,” which recently completed its second season, I was thrilled to find out that I could scratch road trip to NYC so that I can consume a grilled cheese sandwich bought off a truck from my to-do list (OK, I still want to do that, but you know what I mean). Heck, hitting the various food trucks... [Read more]
This Week’s Video Gold: Violitionist Sessions
These days, there are a good many websites that aim to go beyond the normal boundaries of the standard, mp3 sharing music blog. Popular sites like Daytrotter and HearYa.com are both great examples of sites that find unique ways to create art based upon the musicians they are covering. There’s a close-to-home site on the scene and it covers predominantly Texas-based acts (Sarah Jaffe, Doug... [Read more]
Plano, TX – The Capital of Many Things (But Not Cavities)
A recent survey in Men’s Health ranks Plano as the third best city for men based on “health,” “life” and “fitness.” Here’s the deal: it’s really hard to decipher how it is that the periodical came to this conclusion, other than they claim to have measured 37 categories. And, I can’t tell you what those 37 categories are, because after perusing the article for a good 15-20 minutes,... [Read more]
Greenberg Turkey – It’s What’s For The Holidays!
Greenberg Smoked Turkeys, a long-running East Texas family tradition, aren’t just for Thanksgiving anymore. The tradition began in the 1940’s when a Tyler man who regularly smoked meats for local families and friends shipped several dozen turkeys by train to a Dallas oilman who fell in love with the hickory fire slow-cooked bird. The Tyler-based culinary institution now ships to around 200,000... [Read more]
BONUS Video Gold: Goodbye to FFF Fest.
Ok, promise. This is it. The last time I go out of my way to discuss how great things were at this years Fun Fun Fun Fest. In fact, you don’t even have to read my thoughts anymore. Just give this video. Look and see for yourself. Fun Fun Fun Fest 2011 from Guerilla Suit on Vimeo. Read More →
The Miracle League is Just That – Miraculous.
A couple of years ago I, more or less accidentally, stumbled into volunteering for the Miracle League of Frisco. For the following several weeks, I had more meaningful Saturday mornings than I had ever had to that point in my life. I haven’t been able to devote the time needed to be a valuable contributor in the two years since, but I know that a time will come, sooner than later hopefully,... [Read more]
This Week’s Video Gold: Max Cady
Max Cady “40 Nights” from Zach Warner . Zulu Whiskey on Vimeo. I’m not going to lie and say that Dallas rock band Max Cady’s newest album, Wicked Ways, is one of my favorite albums of the year. It’s solid, sure, but it’s just not revving my motor the way in which I had hoped it would, I guess. Regardless, their video for their song “40 Nights” is cool,... [Read more]
BIG TEXAS SHOW PREVIEWS!
In this coming week or two following the Turkey Day that’s just passed, there will be some notable bands and tours cutting through our state as a part of some really major tours. Wilco will make their way into Dallas on November 29th and into Austin on December 1st, for example. That’s pretty big, right? Well, Wilco’s great, but things get even more epic and more arena-rocking in... [Read more]
Rockin’ The Lens: The Jayhawks
It’s been a few weeks, but what a set of pics to come roaring back with. The seminal alt-country band The Jayhawks have got the original line-up back together and are touring behind a really solid new album, Mockingbird Time. Sadly, I couldn’t personally make it to their November 16th show at the Granada Theater in Dallas, but thankfully, our intrepid rock photog, David Heidle could and... [Read more]
Capital of Books & Records?
A few weeks ago, our resident funny man, Dave Little, mentioned that when he hits Austin, he really digs making trips to both Waterloo Records and to Book People. Both independently owned store-fronts are more or less treasured Austin landmarks. With that said, however, you don’t really hear them mentioned in the same breath as the South Congress Bats, Barton Springs, The State Capital Building,... [Read more]
This Week’s Video Gold: The Dirty River Boys
Dirty River Boys – “Carnival Lights” from Compound Productions, LLC on Vimeo. Who doesnt love stumbling onto something new? I’ve read a bit about this trio from El Paso recently, and wouldn’t you know? I clicked over to their website and the above video was waiting for me to view. Good stuff. These guys are a part of what is an encouraging trend of young, “Red... [Read more]
Writing From The Lip: What If…?
I would like to be able to tell each and every one of you that I will always tell the truth and do the right thing in every situation. As I look you in the eye. With my hand placed on the Bible. I know some folks like to swear on a stack of Bibles, but I don’t think that quantity really matters in this case. I’m a “less is more” kind of a guy. And I couldn’t swear on... [Read more]
