This spring, ESPN plans to run a TV feature about the Norway native’s story, which was reported last April in The Dallas Morning News. (This DMN post links to a trailer and the original writeup.) And rest assured, Korra’s still running her heart out.

Just … wow.

Luis Urrea will kick off SMU's 'Migration Matters' series.

That’s right. “Migration Matters: An Interdisciplinary Program on Immigration at the U.S.-Mexico Border” is kicking off at 6:30 p.m. at SMU’s McCord Auditorium, with a talk from Pulitzer-finalist author Luis Urrea. He’s the man who penned The Devil’s Highway – required reading a few years ago, by the way, for incoming freshmen — and first in a lineup of weekly speakers including artists, religious leaders, teachers, and people in law enforcement who’ll visit SMU through April 26.

“This subject isn’t about so-called ‘foreigners’ and making distinctions between ‘us’ and ‘them,’” says program coordinator and English professor Jayson Gonzales Sae-Saue, who specializes in Chicano/a and Asian American literature. “It’s about understanding how we imagine complex social relationships that implicate everyone.”

For scoop about upcoming speakers, visit the event page on SMU’s website.

Carbonelli’s program starts at 7:30 p.m. at Chiro One (5910 N. Central Expressway, Ste. 600), and you can RSVP by calling 972-619-6450.

(Yeah, never mind the fact that I have actual Cheetos residue on one hand as I type this. Just never you mind.)

- $350,000 from the Highland Park Education Foundation. This final pledge from Mad for Plaid will go toward teacher salaries.

- $75,000 from the University Park PTA to support staff salaries.

- $41,700 from the Highland Park Sports Club for improvements to Scotland Yard. Included are new signs bearing the names of two famous alumni — Clayton Kershaw and Chris Young — above the left field (at $6,000 for the pair).

- $41,544 also from the University Park PTA, for staff development, training, and travel; technology/technology supplies and computer training; and instructional supplies.

- $18,051 from the Park Cities Asian American Families. The money will buy iPads and a cart.

- $10,000 from IBM for technology-based projects, given in honor of volunteer Bruce Lin.

- $10,000 from Sam and Cheryl Wyly, for unspecified use.

- Another $6,380 from the HP Sports Club, in the form of an in-kind donation of soccer balls for HPHS girls soccer teams.

- And a $349 Xerox machine from parent Joan Wilk, for the HPHS volleyball team.

JP Crickets, purveyor of “the go-to his and her shoe that combines an Italian-made loafer with the comfort of a classic velvet slipper” has added the ol’ red mustang to its collection, says a company spokesman, and you’ll be able to find it online soon. Shoe prices start at $225.

Highland Park and SMU made the shortlist of Dallas highlights (“jaw dropping,” the writer says of the former), but I’m curious to know what you (y’all) think of the story overall, namely the ol’ tourist-in-a-cowboy-hat part. And the TV references too, I guess.

Thoughts?

Richard Branson

So, Sir Richard Branson will keynote the 22nd annual “A Conversation With a Living Legend” luncheon Jan. 4 at the Hilton Anatole, where he’ll be interviewed by former CNN reporter Miles O’Brien and — I hope, I hope — perhaps mention the whole space-tourism thing.

Which leads me to this. Virgin Galactic, Branson’s space-travel agency, has a smattering of “accredited space agents” around the U.S. and the world. Two of the five such agents in Texas — Andrew Rocchio at Strong Travel Services and Rudi Steele, of Rudi Steele Travel — are Dallas-based, in University Park and Highland Park, respectively.

Cool, right?

(Right.)

Reporter makes friend

Click below for a shot of the initial sighting.

So. $179 buys you admission, food from Marquee Grill’s Tre Wilcox, a copy of Jackopierce’s new album (tentatively titled Everywhere All the Time) and another Jackopierce CD of your choice, membership in the band’s founders’ club (yep!), party favors, professional photography services, valet parking, and a champagne toast with a souvenir Jackopierce flute by Riedel.

Sound like fun? You’ll find tickets and more info here.

'Served by the Belles,' the Highland Park drill team's inaugural cookbook, is now available at Christy M Boutique.

So Christy M Boutique — subject of a Park Cities People feature back in February, and a Snider Plaza store I literally cannot visit without buying something, dangit, even when I’m on the clock — is throwing a four-year anniversary party from 5 to 7:30 p.m. tonight.

I’m told Christy Mesec and her employees will be offering up wine, cheese, discounts, party favors, and the whole lot. They’re also selling copies of Served by the Belles, the Highland Belles’ new cookbook, alongside the store’s collection of clothes and accessories. You can find the book here, too, and at Kid Biz in Preston Center.