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Mercy rule in school sports: is it necessary?

Christina Hughes Babb — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 16:52:35 +0000

A few years back, there was much hoopla over a girls basketball game in which The Covenant School of North Dallas beat Dallas Academy of the White Rock area 100-0.

The publicity even resulted a funny stunt by a The Ticket radio team to play a basketball game against a high school girls team.

A few weeks ago, The Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools instituted a “mercy rule” for football and basketball that will come into play in the 2012-2013 season.

According to an ESPN.com piece, the Covenant-Dallas Academy game was cited as the main reason for the change.

The new rule requires that any game which reaches a 40-point difference after halftime will be subject to a running clock for the remainder of the game. This includes plays that end out of bounds and play stoppages for fouls in both sports.

As much as I dislike bullying, especially in the form of a coach and parents urging players to humiliate a weaker team, I’m not sure that rules are the answer in cases like this. If someone is employed as a football or basketball coach, especially at a pricey private school, shouldn’t part of the job requirement be good judgment, good leadership skills and sportsmanship? Shouldn’t they be trusted to do the right thing? Sure, not all of them will demonstrate these things at all times, and they won’t always make the right decision, but when they don’t, they can be reprimanded as anyone else who messes up at a job.

Is putting mercy rules in place tampering with the integrity of the game? Might it backfire and embarrass the losing team more than a blowout? Rob both teams of valuable learning opportunities?

Dallas Lutheran coach John Bronkhorst told ESPN that he has declined so-called mercy or clock rolling in the past.

“It’s not to be cruel to my team because it’s a teaching opportunity. It’s an opportunity for us to learn in life you’re not going to get bailed out. We need to learn how to overcome adversity, and I can tell you right now, we grew from that game.”

I watched one of my kids’ public school basketball teams get beat by more than 40 points a couple weeks ago. The other team never let up on defense (they did let up on scoring, it seemed) and the winning teams’ parents, cheerleaders and coaches continued to root their team on to massive victory — no mercy on their end.

Our losing team walked away feeling OK that they had fought to the end. I heard them commenting about how impressed they were by the talent on the other team. They did not seem devastated or broken by the experience. (If I remember correctly, neither did the Dallas Academy girls).

On the other hand, last night’s game was lost by a single point. Now that was more heartbreaking than any blowout.

LBJ Express — one year later

Emily Toman — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 16:12:02 +0000

It has been one year since the reconstruction of LBJ Freeway began amid last February’s winter storm. The 17-mile-long, $3.2 billion project has at least four more years to go. Listen to our podcast with the developers, addressing some the concerns last year.

We’ve seen the demolition or partial demolition of several of our bridges: Joe Ratcliff, Welch, Rosser, Marsh, Montfort and Hillcrest.

We noticed the loss of some trees along the corridor.

We worried that LBJ might become Dallas’ version of carmaggedon. We probably over-reacted a bit.

What’s next? Keeping the LBJ business community strong. The LBJ Express team has launched the LBJ Express Marketplace, which allows businesses to post deals and discounts to encourage people to keeping shopping along the corridor despite the inconvenience of construction.

To learn more about the Marketplace and the status of the LBJ Express project, see a presentation 10-10:45 a.m. Wednesday at the Westin Galleria.

Anti-bullying program to tackle texting, social media

Emily Toman — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 15:31:51 +0000

Let’s face it – new technology is making life much more complicated for kids. And their parents.

The Richardson High School Anti-Bullying Team and the RHS PTA will present a special program on helping adolescents use electronic communication for good.

Dr. Marion K. Underwood, a a professor of psychological studies at the University of Texas at Dallas, will lead the presentation, exploring what attracts young people to electronic communication such as texting and Facebook, how they’re using it within peer relationships and what parents can do to help guide kids in the right direction.

Open to all parents, the event is at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 8 in the RHS auditorium. Refreshments will be provided.

Restaurant talk: Breakfast at Jakes

Emily Toman — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 15:59:06 +0000

Who knew that a neighborhood burger joint would serve some of the best breakfast in town? Jakes added it to the menu a couple of months ago at a few select locations, including the one at Belt Line and Prestonwood.

The huge cinnamon rolls rival those at any popular chain and even Crossroads Diner in Lake Highlands. It’s almost bigger than your hand, covered in caramel and cream cheese icing. Share one of these with friends unless you have a stomach made of steel.

You can’t go wrong with any of the breakfast items – from butter pecan pancakes to cheesy grits to the smoked bacon. Jakes appeared in the Best Breakfasts issue of Texas Monthly in November, which featured lots of great Dallas spots.

Jakes opens for breakfast bright and early at 7 a.m.

Arapaho UMC completes year-long renovation

Emily Toman — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 15:21:09 +0000

It has been almost a year since dirt started turning at Arapaho United Methodist Church at the northeast corner of Coit and Arapaho.

“We had quite a muddy corner for a year,” says member Betsy Morton.

The church has been undergoing a major renovation that has yielded a new education wing, youth area and Boy Scout storage facility. There also are new classrooms, a gallery and coffee space. The public is invited to an open house 2-4 p.m. Feb. 12 to check out the new look.

The six acres for the church was purchased in 1965. The first building went up in 1968 – the same year Bowie Elementary and JJ Pearce High School were built. Most of the surrounding land was still used for farming, Morton says. Arapaho UMC also was one of 14 churches that helped found the Network of Community Ministries, a neighborhood nonprofit that helps needy families in Richardson ISD. In addition to Network, today the church’s ministries include Dobie Primary School, Neighborhood Services Council, Family Gateway and other local agencies.

The senior pastor is the Rev. Jack Soper, and the Associate Pastor is Julie MacPherson.

Adam Meierhofer to run for RISD school board

Carol Toler — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 13:21:40 +0000

Adam Meierhofer has announced that he’s running for Place 1 on the Richardson ISD school board. The Lake Highlands resident hopes to replace long-time trustee Luke Davis, who announced plans to retire in May.

Meierhofer is best known for envisioning and chairing Oktoberfest for the LH Exchange Club with buddy Tate Gorman, an event that brought more than 5,000 people to the Town Center site and raised thousands of dollars for Exchange Club outreach and programming. (They were all-Clooney-and-Pitt when they were here to podcast about the upcoming event, charming everyone in the Advocate offices and heckling each other about who had the best ideas.)

Adam served on the District Education Committee, appointed by State Rep. Kenneth Sheets, and the Texas Leadership Summit for Young Professionals, appointed by Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison. He and his wife Brandy are active in the Moss Haven Elementary PTA, and Adam currently serves on the PTA board.

When I asked how he felt about being seen as a “young, up-and-comer” in the community, Adam said that, when approached to run by people he respects, he was honored and humbled. “I thought – I said aloud, ‘aren’t there others wiser and more mature than I to do this?’ Of course there are, and they are on the board.” But having two young children gives him a unique perspective – Kris Oliver is the only trustee with kids still attending RISD, and his youngest attends Richardson high school – and “real skin in the game.” Adds Adam, “and with my youngest not quite 2, that’s real skin!”

Adam coaches Ava Grace’s soccer team (she’s a second grader) and leads her princess tribe (formerly Indian Princesses, if you’re old like me). He carves out time for daddy-dates with 4-year-old Elizabeth Kay, who’ll start kindergarten next year, and says her all-time favorite was the recent LHHS performance of Putnam County Spelling Bee. He describes not-quite-2 William Slade as “one ball of energy” who loves being chased and only slows down long enough to pop Disney’s Cars into the DVD player.

“In running my small business, I’ve learned to wear many hats,” said Adam. “This will be an asset to me in serving as a member of the Board of Trustees, but my biggest asset to this Board are the three children I am blessed to come home to every evening. Having them grow up in theRichardsonSchool Districtis motivation for Brandy and I to sacrifice our time to ensure that RISD continues to be a leading school district inTexas.”

“Luke and Paula Davis have been a major source of inspiration for Brandy and I,” he added, “and I am not running to replace him. He cannot be replaced. I want to continue to ensure the policies and programs that have made RISD great continue and I want to provide insight from a parent/resident different from the current members.”

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Post tags: adam meierhofer, kris oliver, luke davis, school board

This weekend: Moulin Rouge, glass art and games

Emily Toman — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 15:27:29 +0000

At the Eisemann Center, Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet performs Moulin Rouge the Ballet at 8 p.m. Friday in Hill Performance Hall. The group is North America’s longest-operating ballet. Buy tickets here.

Kittrell/Riffkind Art Glass Studio hosts an opening reception for its 19th annual Scent Bottle Invitational, which features more than 60 contemporary glass artists. The reception is 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Saturday, and the show runs through March 3.

Adventure Landing celebrates Super Bowl Sunday, offering a free round of miniature golf, laser tag or go-karts when you wear a sports jersey. Bring this coupon.

Wine review: Chapoutier Côtes du Rhône Belleruche 2009

Jeff Siegel — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 12:00:00 +0000

White wines from France’s Rhone region aren’t particularly well known and, at least in this country, don’t get all that much respect. You don’t see many of them on store shelves or restaurant wine lists, and you don’t see many of them reviewed, for that matter.

Which is a shame, given that white Rhones are usually different and interesting, and that’s something I’m always looking for. The Belleruche ($12, purchased, available at Spec’s), from one of the Rhone’s largest producers, has always been one of my favorite wines for just that reason. When I can find it, of course.

This is a previous vintage, and the extra year of bottle age has given the wine, a blend of grenache blanc, clairette and bourboulenc, a little more character. There is lots of white pepper, some oiliness and just a hint of a green fruit, like lime or apple. This is a not a white wine for people who need something fruit forward, like sauvignon blanc or chardonnay, but it’s not supposed to be.

And don’t worry that you haven’t heard of the grapes used to make it — almost no one who isn’t in the wine business has heard of them, either. Which is another reason why the wine is so interesting, and that’s three more grapes for your Wine Century Club effort. Chill this and drink it on its own or with something like goat cheese; roast pork with apples would be terrific, too.

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Post tags: Chapoutier, French wine, Rhone wines, white wine, wine of the week, wine reviews

Pearce Theater’s ‘Phantom of the Opera’ premieres Feb. 2

Emily Toman — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 16:57:20 +0000

This is probably one of the most elaborate productions that the JJ Pearce High School theater department has put on. The much-anticipated “Phantom of the Opera” opens Feb. 2 and runs through Feb. 26.

All of the costumes are based on the original Broadway play. The show will be complete with flying effects and pyrotechnics.

Theater director Heather Biddle said in a press release, “This show has been the most difficult I have ever been involved with in my 15 years of directing. I can’t believe we are at the finish line, and these students have knocked it out of the park. I know that the audience will be blown away by what they see.”

And get this. Pearce is one of the few non-professional theaters given rights to perform “Phantom of the Opera,” and it will be the first school in Texas to do it this year.

Performances run at 7 p.m. Feb. 2, 12, 13 and 16; 7:30 p.m. Feb. 3, 4, 17, 18, 24 and 25; and 2 p.m. Feb. 5, 19 and 26. Tickets are $5-$16 and available online or by calling the box office at 469.593.5136. Box office hours are 4-5:30 p.m. Monday-Wednesday and 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursday.

Restaurant talk: Pie Five Pizza is now open

Emily Toman — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 15:00:00 +0000

Pizza Inn recently launched a spin-off called Pie Five Pizza, which offers build-your-own personal-sized pizzas in less than five minutes. A location just opened up at Belt Line and the Tollway (right behind Far North Dallas’ third In-N-Out Burger, which looks to be opening any day now. As if anyone cares anymore).

Pie Five is just Pizza Inn in a fancier package. So, if you like Pizza Inn …

On the day I went, the restaurant was blaring loud, obnoxious music. Call me an old fogie, but I don’t enjoy having to shout my order, which was a lengthy one considering you dictate the type of crust, sauce, cheese and unlimited toppings. Pie Five serves 9-inch pizzas at $6.49 a pop (specialty pizzas cost more). A bit much considering I could get a pizza triple the size for around $10 at some other chain or, better yet, a locally owned pizzeria with a nicer atmosphere.

But there’s a lot to like here, too. Pie Five has a great selection of toppings, and you can load up on as many as you want. I ordered the pan crust with Tuscan marinara, mozzarella, chicken, spinach and roasted onions and peppers. Then I had them top it off with feta when it came out of the oven. Pretty good for five minutes.

The place was packed with happy diners – lots of young families – who seemed to really like the concept. It’s a great way to mix it up if people can’t agree on one type of pizza. However, it still doesn’t beat out my favorite neighborhood BYOB spots like Bacci’s, Pizza by Marco and Besa’s Pizza and Pasta.