Kessler Theatre - Oak Cliff

Cultural Tuesdays



Sister lived in the Cliff for a while and she helped the whole family discover a wonderful Dallas microcosm that has slowly been seeing resurgence over the years. This is the newest refurb, resurrection, repurpose, etc. that is happening. Thank goodness there are those in Dallas that understand preservation and retention instead of tear it down and “put in a parking lot.”


“The historic Kessler Theater opened in 1942 and was once owned by Gene Autry. It has been hit by a tornado, burned down and served as a revival tabernacle. It has been dormant for 30 years, but things they are a changing. Witness the resurrection!”

Check this out....

Books that Belong in the Treehouse.

Something About Books

Yes, I am immersed once again in the amazing world of children’s and young adult literature. I am of the generation that began to read in the decade of the 1970’s and it seems that when I was done with picture books and fairy tales and all things Beverly Cleary that, with the exception of Nancy Drew, I jumped straight into adult literature.

Granted, there wasn’t the wealth of YA material then as there is now, so I am grateful that over the past several years I have been given the opportunity to have a “purposeful” reason to read “Peter and the Star Catchers”, “each little bird that sings”, “Stop Pretending” and of course Harry Potter all over again and, yes, The Twilight series among many, many others. And now I know that the only reason one needs to read these book is to simply enjoy them.

Here is my question. What was your favorite book as a child or during your tween or teen years? Did you even LIKE to read? So many of my current students have NEVER read for just the pleasure of it and that really distresses me. The NEA commissioned a study in 2004 that states “Literary reading is in dramatic decline with fewer than half of American adults now reading literature, according to a National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) survey released today. Reading at Risk: A Survey of Literary Reading in America reports drops in all groups studied, with the steepest rate of decline - 28 percent - occurring in the youngest age groups.” There are some flaws in the study, in my opinion, but it does a good job tying literacy to many important aspects of our culture and puts a magnifying lens up to what we are potentially losing as a society by not reading.


So share your favs with me and I’ll share them with my summer students, who always need suggestions as to which books to read. Who knows, your idea just might be THE book that hooks that reluctant reader.

New York Times Children’s Book List

New Format

OK - I really want to be a blogger, but life gets in my way ALOT. Recently took this great online digital course called "Everyone Can Write A Little" which combined social media, scrapbooking and photoshop - simply amazing - taught me loads of things, but most importantly, that you don't have to write "War and Peace" to get your point across.

So, I'm going to try this. Each day has a different theme based on my interests. I'll post something - not too involved - pertaining to that topic and then, as I try to do in my classroom, be a facilitator and welcome all discussions, opinions and tangents. I do much better with dialogue :) And p.s. I'd love to have guest bloggers. If you see something that interest you - write it up and send it to me. I would love the day off!

Here is the lineup;

Monday - Something about Books. A passion of mine and many of my friends. I read most everything, but definitely have my favs and obsessions. The Summer course that I'm teaching is Oral Interp of Children's Literature, so I may center around that for a bit. Currently reading The Shadow Thieves

Tues - Culture/travel. Lots of opportunity here. Live in a very diverse place with lots going on, enjoy traveling and have friends who are always going on wonderful adventures. Look for lots of pics from here.

Wed - Theatre/ Film. Between hubby and I we have five sheepskins on the wall related to this. Surely can come up with something interesting and pithy to say or at least direct you to some wonderful productions and indie films from our friends and colleagues. Next on my list to see - The Proposal

Thurs - Shopping. Six words - I Don't Buy at Retail Prices. For example, this week I saved 48% on my grocery bill - I'm just sayin'. I'll let you in on my methods and secret bargain places, both local and online. A favorite haunt.

Fri - As they used to say on the Mickey Mouse Club "it's Anything Can Happen Day!" This is my catch all for anything that doesn't fit in the other pigeon holes. Who knows what may show up here. Somezing like zis, maybe?

Sat - Crafts and Home Ec. This is where I get to let out my inner Martha. Look for paper crafting, baking, interior design, antiques, etc. Please note that sometimes I have an odd sense of humor and taste!

Sun - Science. This is where I get to fly my Nerd flag. I love science! Always have (who knew creative types could actually USE that other side of the brain). There might occasionally be a tad be of Science Fiction thrown in here, just for good measure.

That is my plan. Hopefully, I've archived enough ideas in the past couple of weeks to keep me on top of things and actually keep on track.

So, without further ado...

Science Sundays

Here is something for all you eccentric ecologist and oceanographers.

Captain Clapton, the alter ego of university buddy Andrew Wheeler, keeps a rockin’ Facebook page dedicated to news, blogs, politics and any other flotsam and jetsam related to our oceans. Educational and entertaining. Friend him...you know you wanna.

Our 2009 Disney vacation (NOT)

I’m a Disney planner with a capital D (for “disorder”). We’ve been every year for the last 5 and have had up to 16 other people with us at one time and I love it. Planning is almost as much fun as going. I’ve posted a trip report with several installments of our first trip, so I thought I’d share with you some of my strategies and successes.

Here’s the plan from the OCD schedule.

I also am a firm believer in Tour Guide Mike’s member’s only website. He gives great info that has been very valuable to us in the past.

Arrival Day - Sunday January 11
Hotel/Res Animal Kingdom Lodge Reservation *******

Breakfast Location - Home
Time/Reservation -At the butt crack of dawn

Morning Event - Take energy bar for plane

Lunch Location - Mara/Lounge - Need a Zebra Dome
Time/Reservation 2:00 ish

Afternoon Event - Settled at Resort

Dinner Location - Rose and Crown, Epcot - Cheese plate and Guinness Stew are favorites
Time/Reservation 5:30 #******

Evening Event Wander around RELAX
Take Pal Mickey
Epcot Illumiations – 9 pm
Watch from traditional place in front of Japan

So, fly in on 8:55 am flight (American), pick up rental car (National), check in (concierge level – present from Himself), pick up two cases of water from Bell Services that I had shipped from Costco (this is one of many great ideas from the discussion board I troll about all things Disney). See if we can meet up with WonderBoy (our great friend who has worked at Disney for many years) to deliver the baked goods from Fort Worth’s Esperanza’s Bakery that he is so fond of. (We had breakfast here last summer when he was in DFW to judge the Miss Teen Texas Pageant and he brought back dozens of pastries to the judge’s lounge – he was very popular!)

However, reality set in on Saturday – I’d been battling a flair up of an intestinal issue and finally realized that a week in Disney probably wasn’t the smartest thing I could do. So we canceled, Himself and I and a very good friend who was going to pal around with me. Sounds so easy – so not so. Two of our “kids” (former students that are “adopted” and a part of our family), let’s call them…Paco and Helen – primarily because…Paco just fits and Helen... has this strange stalker-like obsession with Helen Reddy - will forge on without us and keep us posted on The Happiest Place on Earth.

I’d been planning on blogging about the trip. Well, no whining allowed – we still have the week off – how creative can we be while still taking it easy and de-stressing (which will be a big help to my health)?

I’ll post what we were supposed to be doing vs. what we actually do. You get to decide how successful our “stay-cation” turns out to be.

And now for…Reality Sunday

Slept until 9 am.

Hmmm…

Haven’t done that in months. Usually roll out of bed somewhere between 5:15 and 7 am dependent on the day.

All I can say is "wow." That was really nice. And Himself was already up and making scrambled eggs, toast and hot tea for me.

So far so good.

I’d downloaded an audio book for the plane trip, so I though “what the heck – luxuriate a bit more”, so I did and listened to the first chapter (another hour in bed). Well, I’m totally hooked on The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows.

Then WonderBoy called in response to my pathetic message on Facebook, moaning about not coming to Florida. We spent almost an hour on the phone catching up, so even if I didn’t get to see him, we at least got to visit.

Himself and I decided that if I was going to continue my blandish diet; I could at least get some really fresh bland food, so we took a field trip to Central Market. Beautiful fruit and veggies – mmmmm. I could honestly spend hours in the produce section - they have the prettiest and most bizarre things. But I had a mini breakdown in the bakery area because I began to imagine myself sitting in the middle of one of the bins eating an entire loaf of aromatic sourdough and then, oh, the pain that would ensue afterwards. My sweet husband took matters into his own hands and asked one of the foodies if they had a more robust (read twigs and berries) loaf with a sourdough base and Eureka! – they did. A nice 10 grain loaf that still has that slightly sour nose to it. I can actually eat that!

We came home and Himself watched uninterrupted football (which he thoroughly enjoyed) and I played on the computer for the rest of the day (which I thoroughly enjoyed). A little solitaire, cleaning out the email box and quite a bit of time lost in the New York Times archives of the 1870’s and 80’s researching an article I’m wanting to write. I honestly can’t remember the last time we’ve had that much time to just goof off.

The kids called and said the weather was beautiful, they were already pin trading (Paco’s addiction is totally my fault – who knew introducing those shiny cloisonné objects to him would engender a response worse than cocaine, although Helen can spot a lanyard at 50 paces) and they missed us. I miss them, too. I’m still mourning the Concierge Lounge and the thought of having hot tea on my balcony while watching giraffes stroll by, but I do feel good about a decision that is based on taking care of myself, something I’m really good at doing for others, but not so much for myself.

So, I must say that sleeping in versus getting to DFW airport at 7 am is a no brainer.

I did get hot tea, but no giraffes in site.

I did have a nice dinner (cooked by Himself) with rustic bread and some nice (just a tiny bit) artisan cheese.

No fireworks, but here in Texas we’re under a burn ban anyway.

AND I did relax…

This might not be as horrible as I thought…

(…just don’t tell the mouse)

P.S. Paco texted and said that the Guinness Stew is no longer on the menu. ‘Tis a good thing Himself wasn’t there, for if he had been “…Will Danaher, not a scorched stone of your fine house would still be standing.”

2008 Top Ten List

Howdy, y’all and a happy holiday season to all! I've stepped aside from publishing the late, great Mason-Maher Times and assigned Dr. D the task, so here it is...

DENNIS AND MELANIE’S 2008 TOP TEN
(not necessarily in any particular order)

10. Dr. D. goes international - LMDA



Even though he has been the Dramaturg at UT Arlington for many years, Dr. D joined the Literary Managers and Dramaturgs of the Americas, an international organization devoted to excellence in the area of Theatre dramaturgy. He is now the official "International Man of Mystery."


9. Buckleys part deux

The Mason-Mahers were asked to return as judges for Fort Worth Casa Manana's Betty Lynn Buckley Awards honoring excellence in musical theatre performance in the North Texas area. We are continually amazed at the shows we see - and mostly in a good way!

8. IPhones & Ipods away!


Mel joined the IPhone revolution with her latest communication gadget, and Dennis followed with his Ipod Touch. Mel is warming to her new toy (but Clarissa had to come home from OU to show her how to work it), while Dennis is seriously considering joining the Luddites.







7. Theatre Babies

On the high school front, Patrick was accepted to Emerson and Ashley has her sites set on UT. Amanda, Jill, O.T., Chase, Genisis, and Roger (who is currently working on a cruise ship) graduated from UTA. Grad school babies - Clarissa is at OU and David and Drew are about to graduate in the spring with MFA's from UW Madsion and Western Illinois respectively. Celi got certified and Anthony is working with 4 Day Weekend. Laura signed with an agent and Kayla just finished an internship with Cirque in Vegas. Eric is engaged and David and Tonya are married...and somewhere along the way we adopted an Hungarian ;). Forgive us if we missed you - comment and help our addled brains!

6. Dennis IS an Encyclopedia

Dennis was commissioned by the Brown Reference Group of London, UK, to write articles for an encyclopedia, The World and Its Peoples, scheduled to be released to secondary schools and colleges internationally. The Doctor wrote articles about The American Film Industry, Colonial Theatre and Music, Native American Theatre and Music, African-American Theatre and Music, and Nineteenth Century American Theatre and Music. Whew!


5. Violet Hour stops time

Dennis directed Richard Greenberg’s comedy-drama The Violet Hour in November, for a change getting to work with a small cast instead of the dramatic cavalry charges he’s been working on in recent years. It was not only a lovely show, but a lovely experience.
















4. Little Elementary DI Team goes the distance


















Mel’s fourth graders won at the Regional Competition, also earning a coveted DaVinci Award for Creativity, and advanced to the Texas State Competition for the second year in a row! Bravo, kids!



3. Minister Dennis Marries Deana & Marc














Mel’s sisra Deana is now Deana Mason Tardif—she and new husband Marc were wed at the Trois Estate outside Fredericksburg, TX—by Ordained Clergy Person Dennis Maher, who got himself ordained especially for the occasion—Dr. Maher is available for your ceremonial needs (email him at www.dmmaher@uta.edu). The wedding was an amazing event, complete with
Guy Forsyth as the entertainment for the rehearsal dinner. We are so proud to have Marc (and his family) be part of ours, especially since Mel and Deana also got a great new sister-in-law in the bargain!!













2. Disneyworld en masse/17th Anniversary

The Mason-Mahers celebrated their anniversary at Disney World for the fifth time—and this time they brought a small army with them. Sixteen alumni and alumnae and friends invaded the parks and were touched with Disney magic—Mel and Dennis liked staying at Animal Kingdom Lodge so much they’re going back—at the concierge level (would you like some Lesser Kudu with your Kenyan coffee, ma.am?)!

1b. Ms. Mel is M.S. Mel!

On December 12th Melanie walked across the stage at the University of North Texas Coliseum in Denton and received her Master of Science in Information Science. With a 4.0 - Phi Kappa Phi. Almost all the coursework was done online! Many, many thanks to everyone who supported both of us during the long haul.
















1a. Mel and Dennis go biker

Even though Dennis’ middle age craziness has long since passed, he and Mel got full body tattoos and bought a Harley Davidso. . .oh, get real—they dressed up as bikers for Halloween (Dennis taught classes and directed in full gear).











Here’s wishing you and yours a very merry Christmas and a joyous and prosperous 2009!

Much Love,
Dennis & Melanie

Subzero MGM adventure - '04 WDW Vacation

Chapter 7.1
12/15/04

Just to recap –

We’re at The Studios and…

IT’S COLD!!!

…and Deanster, Dr. D and I have decided to tough out the night time temps.

As the sun was setting we thought we might shop a bit.

We have a great time at Tatooine Traders. Dr. D eyes the Sith Baseball Jersey with VADER across the back. Long ago in a galaxy far, far away, his nickname at the University was Dr. Death. He has since mellowed – A LOT, but nevertheless, I think it would be terribly funny for him to get it. He starts looking for his size and then notices the price tag - $175. Once I pick him up off the floor and assure him that we can probably find in on Ebay, he feels a little better.

This is the same face he made when he saw the price tag

We still have some time to kill, so I take point position and start toward Hollywood Blvd. Fists jammed into pockets, scarf in a noose around my neck, head down and walking fast.

Dr. D says that I have a super hero attribute of being able to dematerialize at will. He relies on his cell phone at malls, Super Targets and Lowes to locate me on the radar when I do this. I was never aware of my superpower, so obviously I’m not very good at controlling it. It annoys the heck out of him when I disappear.

On a side note, it annoys the heck out of me when he gets LOST!

Well, plummeting temperatures seems to make me even more transparent. I swore that one minute I glanced over my shoulder and he and Dean were 5 feet behind me – and the next I looked, they were gone.

Great – now my plan of ducking into an interesting shop to thaw is now out of the question because then they REALLY couldn’t see me. Dr. D doesn’t have his magic cell phone and Deanster’s roams at about $172 a minute. (We had been warned to use it ONLY in an EMERGENCY! i.e. blood loss, hospitalization or Prince Eric sighting).

So I stand on the sidewalk and wait….

and cough….

and blow my nose…

(feel sorry for me yet? Yeah, nobody else did either.)

They finally show up and Dr. D has made a believer out of Deanster as to the validity of my powers.

I deliver an edict – we HAVE to stay together. I don’t want to wander around in the cold AND the dark looking for them. They vow to stay close and then look at each other and giggle.

Great.

They browse, I defrost and all is right with the world.

Deanster in front of her next camera acquisition

We decide we should do The Osborne Family lights as soon as it was turned on. Even though it had been a light attendance day, we could tell more people were arriving in order to see it and Fantasmic.

Well, let me just tell you about the pride that swelled in the heart of this native Arkansan. Deanster and I were both born in Little Rock and there is nothing like a little Hillbilly excess.

Banjo music please

Dr. D is totally impressed. He believes outdoor Christmas lights and frippery to be an art form unto itself. His ultimate dream is to have a manger scene on the front yard with a motion detector that would activate a pop-up baby Jesus that waves at the passing cars.


That’s just the kinda guy he is.

This is the first and only time that we encounter any kind of crowd. It’s packed. We hug the right hand curb to stay out of the milling throng. Deanster weaves in and out, but does a good job of keeping up with us. (She’s afraid I’ll call her cell phone.) It snows - or rather foams.

You know, it just doesn’t have the same WOW impact in weather that is already conducive to that type of precipitation. On second thought, at what temperature does it foam?

Having had our Griswold Christmas experience fulfilled, we trek back. Deanster has become captivated by Grauman’s Chinese Theatre. She took, hmm… maybe, I dunno, A ZILLION pictures of it throughout the day.

One of my favorites

We are excited about seeing Fantasmic after all the hype and publicity. On the way, it’s time for some warm beverages and a little nosh for me. We grab some coffee, hot chocolate and a kid’s meal at one of the counter service areas on Sunset. It hits the spot – Mac and Cheese, coleslaw, grapes and juice for $3.00. Just right for my very non-discerning and cheap palate. Dr. D just shakes his head.

We do our best cattle impersonation and follow the herd to the theatre. I really didn’t quite know what to expect, but I must say it was worth the cold. Very inventive and imaginative. Can’t you just hear the imagineer that first came up with the idea pitching it to his boss?

“OK – first you build a lagoon that’s big enough for party barges and a steamboat to travel on…then you need, like, a mountain that’s at least 5 stories tall, and then, ok, maybe we can edit all the major Disney movies and project them onto the mountain, nooooo – wait a minute… we spray WATER and show them on that…”




Dr. D got all analytical and started discussing the acting styles and the historical significance of performing in an amphitheatre.

I got all schmoopsie when Snow White showed up and they played “Someday my Prince Will Come.”

We’ve been married almost 18 years. Go figure.

Me and my prince

We now do what we have named the exit shuffle – walk until our teeth chatter, duck into a shop, thaw. Walk until I can’t feel my feet, duck into a shop, thaw. This southern girl just doesn’t handle cold well at all.

The best thing is that the Villains are well represented at MGM. I especially enjoy…




This is by far our favorite park. Dr. D is all about the attention to detail at Disney in general, but especially here.


We are glad that we toughed it out. Fantasmic was great and the park was just beautiful lit up with all the decorations at night. Dr. D and I are looking forward to returning on Friday for our lunch at the Brown Derby with an Imagineer.

On the way back to Coronado Springs, I start thinking about tomorrow. It’s my big day to do the Dolphin Encounter at the Living Seas in Epcot.

Better take a double dose of Robitussin so I can sleep...