Home > The M.O. > Archives > 2009 > July > 10
Friday, July 10, 2009
News anchor says a very discomfiting ‘goodbye’
Ron Burgundy called. He wants his bit back.
This is probably the strangest sign-off and profession of love I have seen in a long, long time.
So, Mike Snyder is leaving the NBC station in Dallas. Probably a time to get a little misty. After all, he has been doing the news there for 30 years.
Wait, this just in …
Snyder is not actually leaving the station. He is gone from the 10 p.m. show, but will still be around for the 5 and 6 p.m. broadcasts. He says he is doing it to “pursue other interests” and attend dinners and Indian Princess gatherings with his daughters. Pursue other interests? Like … catching “Murder She Wrote” reruns at 8 p.m.?
Sounds like a typical sports coach saying he is “choosing to leave” to spend more time with his family. But what do I know?
From the looks of this video, you would think he was about to undergo experimental surgery or ship off to Afghanistan.
Narcissism doesn’t really get any better than this.
I don’t know what else to say, really. Except, “I love you, Jane.” (That will be my new catchphrase for the second half of 2009, by the way.)
Roll the tape …
Permalink | Comments (3) | Post your comment Categories: Television
R.I.P. Shuggie’s
Although its humorous, tongue-in-cheek press release credits a drive-by carried out by a rival chain as the reason for its “death,” the closing of Shuggie’s at the Trailer Park at 1311 S. First St. has a much more peaceful and natural cause.
After selling burgers, shakes, chicken sandwiches and other deliciously heart-stopping foods for the past 10-plus months, with a three-month winter hiatus mixed in, the owners of Shuggie’s, a spin-off of Torchy’s Tacos, have decided they want to focus on doing what they know and do best, which is serving tacos.
While Shuggie’s was doing a “nice business,” according to co-owner Bob Gentry, the ownership group decided they “can’t be all things to all people.”
Torchy’s will move its Trailer Park operation into the former Shuggie’s trailer, which has two service windows, allowing for better service to its legions of fans. The elimination of Shuggie’s will also afford more parking for Torchy’s, which can overflow with people during peak hours, Gentry said.
While Gentry says ownership has no interest in expanding into the world of franchising, despite regular inquiries from outsiders, Torchy’s does have its eye on expansion, with North Burnet Road and Southwest Austin being locations of specific interest, with a possible eastside expansion down the line.
In addition to its locations at 2801 Guadalupe St., the Trailer Park on South First Street and 2809 S. First St., Torchy’s has also remained busy with a booming catering operation, Gentry said, and has recently begun expanding into numerous coffee shops around town. (I noticed this morning that Torchy’s Tacos are now being served at Flipnotics on Barton Springs Road.)
While devotees of the burger trailer will likely miss the green chili cheese fries and chicken-fried, bacon-topped burgers they’ve come to love from Shuggie’s, Gentry notes there are other local businesses specializing in hamburgers and doing them well, and the company’s press released urges lovers of Shuggie’s to continue to support local burger shops such as P. Terry’s, Hat Creek Burger Co. and Sandy’s.
To celebrate the “life” of Shuggie’s, there will me a “memorial” at the Trailer Park this Sunday from 6 to 10 p.m. Considering the tenor of the press release, expect some good humor in addition to specials on food as the sun sets on a burger stand that was gone too soon.
Photo by Mark Matson FOR AMERICAN-STATESMAN
Permalink | Comments (4) | Post your comment Categories: Food
Saturday is Free Day at Barton Springs pool
It’s 1,000 degrees outside. Did you know that? 1,000 degrees.
It’s so hot that I have not visited one swimming pool this young summer that actually felt completely refreshing and cool.
That’s why I’ve never been more thankful for Barton Springs. And everyone can be thankful that this Saturday, the Springs is free for all.
The 68-degree spring-fed pool will be open from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday. It will still cost $3 to park in Zilker, so walk, bike or find a spot in the Robert E. Lee Drive lot for a completely free experience.
The heat this summer has driven what seems like abnormally large crowds to the Springs, as I have seen some of the longest lines in recent memory over the past few weeks. One friend told me he waited 45 minutes a couple of weeks ago, but he may have just been suffering from heat stroke.
I can’t imagine how big the crowd will be Saturday, but with no waiting around for change, the line should move quickly.
Photo by Alberto Martinez AMERICAN-STATESMAN
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment Categories: Misc.
