The Kingpin of Cowtowntag:typepad.com,2003:weblog-6344012008-09-05T11:26:17-05:00A bowler's eye view of the wild, wild Web from the cubicle behind the supply cabinet in Fort Worth, Texas.TypePadTaking the safety of your counter for granite tag:typepad.com,2003:post-551846722008-09-05T11:26:17-05:002008-09-05T11:26:33-05:00No wonder your food tastes funny. There's radiation in that spiffy new granite countertop! There's been a bit of an uproar surrounding the recent spate of stories about this, but the latest word from experts is that there is little...Rick http://startelegram.typepad.com/cowtown_kingpin/2008/09/taking-the-safe.htmlBailey quarters up its special pricetag:typepad.com,2003:post-551356582008-09-04T12:29:45-05:002008-09-04T12:32:42-05:00Our beloved Bailey's BBQ, which is a stone's throw from the Star-T's offices downtown, is the ultimate comfort lunch. Their daily special for $4.75 (sandwich, chips and a drink) is the best bargain in town. Except now it's 5 bucks....Rick http://startelegram.typepad.com/cowtown_kingpin/2008/09/bailey-quarters.htmlMove over, Sarah Palin! There's a new political heavyweight on the scene.tag:typepad.com,2003:post-550870262008-09-03T13:55:46-05:002008-09-03T13:59:35-05:00Rick http://startelegram.typepad.com/cowtown_kingpin/2008/09/move-over-sarah.htmlHamming it up, part deuxtag:typepad.com,2003:post-550722102008-09-03T09:45:54-05:002008-09-03T09:48:33-05:00For those of us who can't read enough about fabulously overpriced deli meats, we've got more details on the $180 per pound ham at Central Market. Last week, we got a taste. But this week, our resident food czarina, Amy...Rick http://startelegram.typepad.com/cowtown_kingpin/2008/09/hamming-it-up-p.htmlTina Fey vs. Sarah Palintag:typepad.com,2003:post-548797602008-08-29T10:37:43-05:002008-08-29T10:37:59-05:00John McCain today chose former SNL funnywoman Tina Fey as his vice presidential running-mate.Rick http://startelegram.typepad.com/cowtown_kingpin/2008/08/tina-fey-vs-sar.htmlMan sees divine image flapping on wings of mothtag:typepad.com,2003:post-548103602008-08-28T10:48:53-05:002008-08-28T10:49:14-05:00Tortillas. Windows. Tree trunks. Cheetos. Images of Jesus have been found in many places. Add the wings of a moth to the list. Kirk Harper, an RV shop owner in Pittsburgh, Texas, spotted the large moth on a RV trailer...Rick http://startelegram.typepad.com/cowtown_kingpin/2008/08/man-see-divine.htmlHershey's big kiss offtag:typepad.com,2003:post-547557322008-08-27T09:47:21-05:002008-08-27T10:00:58-05:00Chocoholics may want to grab a seat for this news: Hershey's is screwing with your chocolate. According to the Wall Street Journal, the chocolate maker is one of several food companies looking for "creative ways" to cut costs to combat...Rick http://startelegram.typepad.com/cowtown_kingpin/2008/08/hersheys-big-ki.htmlDon't forget to bowl for a record on Saturdaytag:typepad.com,2003:post-547531322008-08-27T08:56:49-05:002008-08-27T08:59:05-05:00If you didn't already know (and shame on you if you didn't), this is National Bowling Week. It started Saturday, the day before my birthday, and it continues through this Saturday, when bowlers throughout America will attempt to set a...Rick http://startelegram.typepad.com/cowtown_kingpin/2008/08/dont-forget-to.htmlAre you hot enough for Abercrombie & Fitch?tag:typepad.com,2003:post-547502762008-08-27T07:53:52-05:002008-08-27T07:57:12-05:00I've always said people are shallow. Myself included. In fact, there are times I embrace that notion. But the employee hotness meter at Abercrombie & Fitch takes things to a whole new level. I was reading the story this morning...Rick http://startelegram.typepad.com/cowtown_kingpin/2008/08/are-you-hot-eno.htmlDessert for $25,000? Oh, why not.tag:typepad.com,2003:post-547303802008-08-26T19:17:34-05:002008-08-26T19:22:53-05:00This dessert for 25 grand makes the $180-per-pound ham at Central Market look like a bargain. Question: Does anyone other than the guy making this dessert actually buy it? Same goes for the $1,000 pizza. Or the $120 sandwich. Oh,...Rick http://startelegram.typepad.com/cowtown_kingpin/2008/08/dessert-for-250.htmlCowboys fans throw flag on new tailgating rules tag:typepad.com,2003:post-547061522008-08-26T10:35:49-05:002008-08-26T10:41:15-05:00America's Team is not making any friends among America's Tailgaters with its new unAmerican Parking Policy. The rules limit tailgaters to the confines of the one parking space they've paid way too much for in the first place. If you've...Rick http://startelegram.typepad.com/cowtown_kingpin/2008/08/cowboys-fans-th.htmlHamming it up (at $180 per pound)tag:typepad.com,2003:post-546740802008-08-25T17:13:54-05:002008-08-26T12:44:23-05:00One of our intrepid features editors, Stephanie Allmon, just came bounding into the Star-Telegram online offices straight from Central Market, clutching .05 pounds of $180.00 per pound ham. Yes, you read that correctly. You would need to buy $45 worth...Rick http://startelegram.typepad.com/cowtown_kingpin/2008/08/one-of-our-intr.htmlDo you fondue? Fort Worth is going totag:typepad.com,2003:post-546701062008-08-25T15:38:35-05:002008-08-25T15:58:22-05:00I was strolling back to the office today when I noticed this sign (I'm so handy with the cell phone camera, aren't I?). Simply Fondue has staked its claim in Sundance Square, right next to the Scat Jazz Lounge. (Hope...Rick http://startelegram.typepad.com/cowtown_kingpin/2008/08/do-you-fondue-f.htmlGirls Gone Wild bus, part IItag:typepad.com,2003:post-545558722008-08-22T10:08:57-05:002008-08-22T10:16:03-05:00If you read Aman Batheja's story today about why the Girls Gone Wild bus was banished from downtown, you know it wasn't Mr. Mayor, but Mr. Sundance ... Square who sent the sin wagon packing. Taken at face value, the...Rick http://startelegram.typepad.com/cowtown_kingpin/2008/08/girls-gone-mild.htmlAdios Duce, Hola Fuego tag:typepad.com,2003:post-545281542008-08-21T16:51:50-05:002008-08-21T16:53:38-05:00Word out of the west side of Fort Worth is that Duce – the much-ballyhooed restaurant that Tim Love opened in 2006, but that never seemed to find its footing – has officially been transformed into Fuego. Love sold the...Rick http://startelegram.typepad.com/cowtown_kingpin/2008/08/adios-duce-hola.htmlGirls Gone Wild not welcome in Fort Worthtag:typepad.com,2003:post-545220242008-08-21T14:25:52-05:002008-08-21T18:43:00-05:00Be careful where you walk during lunch downtown. You might just run into a Girls Gone Wild bus. Plastered with pics of sexy coeds contemplating unspeakable things, the bus was parked in front of Barnes and Noble at about 11:30...Rick http://startelegram.typepad.com/cowtown_kingpin/2008/08/girls-gone-wild.htmlPat Green gets cold-cocked by a cold onetag:typepad.com,2003:post-544272602008-08-19T18:48:42-05:002008-08-19T18:51:38-05:00He hasn't lived here long, but country star Pat Green has quickly become one of Fort Worth's favorite sons. And it's just this type of goofy incident that endears him to the fine folks of Cowtown. Over the weekend, Green...Rick http://startelegram.typepad.com/cowtown_kingpin/2008/08/pat-green-gets.htmlThe top 20 rain songs of all timetag:typepad.com,2003:post-544146222008-08-19T14:30:16-05:002008-08-19T14:30:32-05:00One great thing about having a blog is you can keep re-using old crap and try to make it seem new. (Did I just actually write that?) Considering its raining buckets out there this afternoon, I bring you a reprise...Rick http://startelegram.typepad.com/cowtown_kingpin/2008/08/the-top-20-rain.htmlThe top 10 whoppers on resumestag:typepad.com,2003:post-543996542008-08-19T09:35:39-05:002008-08-19T09:59:45-05:00I once had a boss tell me that anything worth doing is worth overdoing. I guess that mantra has gotten around, because people are telling some real whoppers on their resumes these days. Check out the Top 10 lies told...Rick http://startelegram.typepad.com/cowtown_kingpin/2008/08/the-top-10-whop.htmlThis guy is hooked on hurricanes tag:typepad.com,2003:post-543602642008-08-18T14:02:09-05:002008-08-18T14:02:22-05:00Here's one way to ride out the storm in Key West. Might as well catch dinner, right?Rick http://startelegram.typepad.com/cowtown_kingpin/2008/08/this-guy-is-hoo.htmlHere's some sound advice on sweat-stained buttstag:typepad.com,2003:post-543553502008-08-18T12:15:58-05:002008-08-18T12:16:27-05:00Rick http://startelegram.typepad.com/cowtown_kingpin/2008/08/heres-some-soun.htmlBill Murray takes a flying leaptag:typepad.com,2003:post-543543762008-08-18T11:53:47-05:002008-08-18T12:21:33-05:00The goofy actor/comedian has a grin on his face the whole way down. Watch it here.Rick http://startelegram.typepad.com/cowtown_kingpin/2008/08/bill-murray-tak.htmlBig Foot fails DNA testtag:typepad.com,2003:post-543539462008-08-18T11:43:10-05:002008-08-18T11:52:28-05:00Big surprise, right? Oh, well, it was fun while it lasted. And how exactly do we know what the DNA of a big foot would look like? So many questions.Rick http://startelegram.typepad.com/cowtown_kingpin/2008/08/big-foot-fails.htmlHunters and parents and puppies, oh mytag:typepad.com,2003:post-543520342008-08-18T11:06:06-05:002008-08-18T11:37:52-05:00My surreal weekend included a visit to the recently reopened IMAX theater at the Fort Worth Science and History Museum. Dog agility trials and fun with hunters. It seems the people of Fort Worth have rediscovered their love of IMAX...Rick http://startelegram.typepad.com/cowtown_kingpin/2008/08/hunters-and-par.htmlFarewell to the Sundance 11tag:typepad.com,2003:post-542513342008-08-15T15:58:49-05:002008-08-15T16:05:42-05:00Another piece of downtown's past is being dismantled today and tossed upon the scrap heap of history. Crews are tearing down the AMC Sundance 11 movie theater. Ah, I remember the time I was watching Music and Lyrics there and...Rick http://startelegram.typepad.com/cowtown_kingpin/2008/08/farewell-to-the.htmlAnd on the 8th day, God created beach volleyballtag:typepad.com,2003:post-542482222008-08-15T14:29:22-05:002008-08-15T14:32:44-05:00Rick http://startelegram.typepad.com/cowtown_kingpin/2008/08/and-on-the-8th.htmlTax-free holiday is smoke and mirrors so fartag:typepad.com,2003:post-542397842008-08-15T12:31:41-05:002008-08-15T12:31:52-05:00I've heard from my spies out in the field that shoppers aren't rushing out to save $4.17 on their purchases for the big TAX-FREE WEEKEND. It was darn near empty at the Parks Mall in Arlington before lunch today. I...Rick http://startelegram.typepad.com/cowtown_kingpin/2008/08/tax-free-holida.htmlIs Big Foot afoot?tag:typepad.com,2003:post-542313862008-08-15T09:48:24-05:002008-08-15T10:57:43-05:00This is a fairly persuasive photo of an alleged Big Foot capture. ... Or it could be the gorilla suit Jim Belushi wore in Trading Places. (Can you believe that movie opened 25 years ago!) Either way, this new Big...Rick http://startelegram.typepad.com/cowtown_kingpin/2008/08/is-big-foot-afo.htmlThe good, the bad and the truly scary clownstag:typepad.com,2003:post-541814842008-08-14T13:41:40-05:002008-08-14T18:41:43-05:00The circus is in town, which means coulrophobics won't sleep a wink until Ringling, his brothers and all their clown friends climb into a tiny car and get the heck out of dodge. For the foolishly rational among you, coulrophobia...Rick http://startelegram.typepad.com/cowtown_kingpin/2008/08/the-good-the-ba.htmlThe Russian-Georgian-Cow conflict tag:typepad.com,2003:post-541806882008-08-14T10:01:06-05:002008-08-14T10:03:44-05:00The war in Georgia is hell, especially for cows! Caption contest, anyone? Here are a couple that popped into my head: "Excuse me, Mr. Soldier? You gonna eat that grass?" "The term is HUMAN shields, fellas. Not bovine shields!" "Kill...Rick http://startelegram.typepad.com/cowtown_kingpin/2008/08/war-is-hell-esp.htmlThe Osteen air rage trial just keeps getting bettertag:typepad.com,2003:post-541426242008-08-13T13:31:31-05:002008-08-13T13:31:49-05:00Forget the Olympics and Project Runway, the best entertainment out there at the moment is the Victoria Osteen first-class air rage trial. If you haven't been following, allow me to catch you up: Continental flight attendant Sharon Brown is suing...Rick http://startelegram.typepad.com/cowtown_kingpin/2008/08/the-osteen-air.htmlA new world record ... in cup stacking!!!tag:typepad.com,2003:post-541152842008-08-12T22:05:50-05:002008-08-12T22:06:08-05:00Michael Phelps has got nothing on this girl. And this is a two-year-old video. Since then, a kid named Steven Purugganan has done it two seconds faster.Rick http://startelegram.typepad.com/cowtown_kingpin/2008/08/a-new-world-rec.htmlDough butt takes shape in fridgetag:typepad.com,2003:post-540956042008-08-12T13:21:06-05:002008-08-12T13:32:34-05:00You've heard all about people seeing Jesus in a rock, well, how's this for a miracle: Check out the finely-toned tush taking shape in my friend, Heather's, fridge. (I always knew The Pillsbury Doughboy was a porn freak.) She was...Rick http://startelegram.typepad.com/cowtown_kingpin/2008/08/dough-butt-take.htmlRestaurant buzz: Nonna Tata's new venturetag:typepad.com,2003:post-540519802008-08-11T15:15:52-05:002008-08-11T15:37:44-05:00This just in from dining diva/restaurant reviewer extraordinaire June Naylor: "Donnatella Trotti, owner of Nonna Tata, is acquiring the Blue Bird in Como for another restaurant." Nonna Tata is the tiny Italian oasis on Magnolia Ave. in Fort Worth whose...Rick http://startelegram.typepad.com/cowtown_kingpin/2008/08/restaurant-buzz.htmlBernie Mac was a king among comedianstag:typepad.com,2003:post-539774602008-08-09T18:14:29-05:002008-08-09T18:14:46-05:00This is so sad. I will miss Bernie Mac. His TV show may have been the last original sitcom on TV. And he was a true original. RIP, Mr. Mac.Rick http://startelegram.typepad.com/cowtown_kingpin/2008/08/bernie-mac-was.htmlWill Four Star buckle under Starbucks?tag:typepad.com,2003:post-539326062008-08-08T11:10:17-05:002008-08-08T11:10:30-05:00Strolling through downtown this morning I noticed a new (to me) sign in a store window on Main Street, between 7th and 8th, next to Ruth's Chris. Coming soon: Starbucks! Starbucks is wonderful, but I'm not without thoughts, disguised as...Rick http://startelegram.typepad.com/cowtown_kingpin/2008/08/will-four-star.htmlDo you DaFoWo?tag:typepad.com,2003:post-539321242008-08-08T10:33:43-05:002008-08-08T10:35:46-05:00If you don't. You really should. Watch below.Rick http://startelegram.typepad.com/cowtown_kingpin/2008/08/do-you-dafowo.htmlA moooving moment in Planotag:typepad.com,2003:post-538583582008-08-06T18:16:07-05:002008-08-06T18:26:49-05:00Check out this video from my gal Heather Svokos, who had the good sense to capture the natural beauty of a mother cow caring for her calf minutes after his birth on a dairy farm in Plano. She said many...Rick http://startelegram.typepad.com/cowtown_kingpin/2008/08/a-moooving-mome.html26 cheerleaders trapped in elevator at UTtag:typepad.com,2003:post-538287902008-08-06T09:06:00-05:002008-08-06T11:07:39-05:00I know, that headline sounds like the beginning of a joke. That one time, at cheerleading camp ... But this is actually true. For some reason, 26 girls at cheerleading camp at the UT campus decided to cram into an...Rick http://startelegram.typepad.com/cowtown_kingpin/2008/08/26-cheerleaders.htmlFort Worth Convention Center's on a holy rolltag:typepad.com,2003:post-537603102008-08-04T21:47:26-05:002008-08-04T22:19:02-05:00First, we hosted the Methodists in May. Then, for six weekends beginning in June, the Jehovah's Witnesses camped out at the Fort Worth Convention Center. And this week, we've got Kenneth Copeland Ministries and his merry band of born-agains. (Toss...Rick http://startelegram.typepad.com/cowtown_kingpin/2008/08/fort-worth-conv.html