Posts by Merritt Patterson

  • Merritt Patterson
    • Merritt Patterson
    • Merritt has been writing a hate mail-generating column for Park Cities People since 2005. If you park illegally in handicapped designated spaces, she’s probably already written about you. She lives in University Park with her husband and four kids. None of them read her column.

  • Big Rich Texas, Episode 1 Recap

    If you missed episode 1, I’ve got your back. Here’s the recap.

    By Merritt Patterson Jul. 18, 2011 | 1:32 pm | 12 Comments | Comments RSS

  • Style Network’s ‘Big Rich Texas’ Premieres Tonight

    In preparation for tonight’s premiere of Style Network’s Big Rich Texas, I’ve decided to let go of the past and leave their 2009 attack on the DFW area (Dallas Divas and Daughters) behind.

    Of course, that means I’ll have to forget the nasty f-bomb e-mail I received from a Divas cast member after she read one of my recaps during the show’s first (and apparently last) season. Because what kind of elite mother of a debutante would type that word and click send?

    Answer: One that Style Network would find to be such a suitable representation of local high society that they’d cast her again, giving her a role in Big Rich Texas.

    Set your DVR for 8 tonight on Style. And read my recap tomorrow on D Magazine’s Front Row.

    By Merritt Patterson Jul. 17, 2011 | 2:27 pm | 18 Comments | Comments RSS

  • Rise and Shine, Park Cities (7-11-11)

    Good morning, Park Cities.

    1. Casey Castellaw’s HP Dance Company announced last night that former Highland Belles director and local celebrity, Cathy Wheat, will be joining the dance empire, providing private instruction this fall.
    2. Don’t forget to set your DVR for the premiere of Style Network’s Big, Rich, Texas  next Sunday night, July 17. If you miss it, I’ve got your back. I’ll be recapping each episode on D Magazine’s Front Row. Anyone see any darkness in the show’s debut being scheduled on the same day Casey Anthony is due to be released from prison? Just sayin’.
    3. I did the big send-your-kids-off-to-camp thing yesterday. This is Camp Longhorn year 5 for one of my kids and year 3 for another. The bus leaves at 9:30 but there’s always some hold up for a late arriving camper- yesterday they didn’t pull out until 10:00 because some parent was parked in front of the busses. It took forever to locate the owner of the vehicle and kindly ask him to move. I don’t get it. I just don’t.
    By Merritt Patterson Jul. 11, 2011 | 9:03 am | 3 Comments | Comments RSS

  • Reality T.V. Hearts the Park Cities

    Dallas Divas and Daughters season one left us speechless. You know, the show with Patty Alcorta and her truly lovely daughter, Jacky, representing the Park Cities in matching Burberry minis. Yeah, Patty is the one who commissioned a nude painting of herself and presented it to her daughter as a graduation gift. A little something to take to college. Who knew we’d end up really kind of liking the duo by the time the finale rolled around? Which is probably why they’re not coming back.

    But Pamela Martin Duarte is.

    Serving as the second season of Divas, Big Rich Texas airs July 17 on Style Network.

    And don’t worry, they wouldn’t take Patty away without giving us new Parkie stars. Set your DVR to watch Connie Dieb and her daughter, Grace, show America how things go in University Park.

    But that’s not all. Parkies report seeing this film crew around town today. You can catch the premiere of Most Eligible Dallas on Bravo, August 10th.

    By Merritt Patterson Jun. 29, 2011 | 3:02 pm | No Comments | Comments RSS

  • Drater Has Parkies Traveling to Lakewood

    If you haven’t seen Drater, the rock band started by three 13-year-old Highland Park Middle School students, you can catch them on stage Thursday night at Lakewood Bar and Grill. Get more scoop on the group here.

    By Merritt Patterson Jun. 28, 2011 | 2:21 pm | 4 Comments | Comments RSS

  • Rise and Shine, Park Cities (6-27-11)

    1. Highland Park High School senior Tiffany Houghton had to make a tough choice. Stay with the Belles or pursue her music career. She chose the music thing and after taking a look at this video, I see why. She’ll be in concert at House of Blues on July 6.
    2. I’m no longer handing out $20 to each of my kids every time I turn around. Movies, eating out etc. It adds up in the summer. I asked them to think of things they can do for free. They’re still thinking. So I’m taking reader suggestions.
    By Merritt Patterson Jun. 27, 2011 | 9:25 am | 4 Comments | Comments RSS

  • Rise and Shine, Park Cities (6-20-11)

    1. Uh, if you live near the 3300 block of Wentwood in University Park, you already know there was a big fire complicated further by your neighbor’s huge stock of ammo blowing up.

    2. I went to the Drater concert Friday night. See my June 24 column for the wrap-up.

    3. WARNING: Next link is totally disgusting. But word to Parkies, if you go to Whole Foods, don’t enter the restroom.

      By Merritt Patterson Jun. 20, 2011 | 9:19 am | 10 Comments | Comments RSS

    1. Wasting Water or Just Keeping it Green in the Park Cities?

      Prompted by this reader submitted bust last year, others are sending photos in hopes of qualifying for the unofficial June 2011 Biggest Waste of Water in the Park Cities Sweepstakes.

      Photo number 1 is a mid-day watering at the Park Cities YMCA University Park Elementary. The other was taken yesterday at 4:30 in the afternoon at SMU, about two hours after the sprinklers got busy cooling the grass in 100 degree heat.

      By Merritt Patterson Jun. 17, 2011 | 9:47 am | 16 Comments | Comments RSS

    2. The Price of Ice at the University Park Pool

      This is a photo of the “snowcone” one of my kids bought at the University Park Pool/Holmes Aquatic Center today. Two. Dollars. For real. About 8 ounces of crushed ice and and a little flavoring. Two. Dollars. Developing.

      By Merritt Patterson Jun. 15, 2011 | 12:51 pm | 7 Comments | Comments RSS

    3. Rick Carlisle’s First Dinner After The Big Win

      I don’t know, I guess I thought Mavs coach Rick Carlisle would be at the Mansion having his first post-championship dinner with a really fancy bottle of wine. But he was at Pei Wei in Preston Center Monday evening with his wife and daughter. Owen Koenig, 8, was dining with his dad, Allan, when he spotted Carlisle and scored an autograph.

      By Merritt Patterson Jun. 14, 2011 | 10:32 am | 2 Comments | Comments RSS
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