It’s a back-to-school edition of Bursting the Bubble. Charles and Merritt are back after a summer hiatus. After visiting her daughter’s junior high open house, Merritt gets sent to the office for her previous blog post about a parking sign.

Join Merritt and Charles as they take a trip down memory lane and share memories of daydreams, gossip, and smells of junior high.

I’m sure the fan club is already in full swing and reading Park Cities People since I had the marketing smarts to place a card on the wall of Old Absinthe House in New Orleans. Or they would be if I had realized a little sooner that my cards have the old web address. I mean, who knew? 

Dan, new card request on the way.    

The team is back after a short hiatus. Discussed this week is UP City Hall’s decision not to host 24 Hours of Booty, a 24-hour bicycle ride held by the Lance Armstrong Foundation.

Merritt is at it again with her rule-book — this week, about carpool lanes. She has good reason why SMU camp counselors should control the traffic. Charles believes they are perfect candidates since “their brains haven’t been corroded by children yet.”

Unusual male fashion has been noted at the local pools, hence the title of this podcast.

And finally, Charles might have a celebrity stalker. Find out who it is on this week’s Bursting the Bubble.

Both teachers and students get antsy as they count down the remaining school days before summer — which, by the way, is customized for church-goers this year by having a 5th of July Parade on Monday. On the other hand, Charles and Merritt celebrate a common trait: being uncommitted Jewish-from-the-father’s-side.

Because Park Cities residents seem to build their lives around their high school years (Charles’ words, not mine), Charles and Merritt dream up a brilliant plan that would prepare — or better yet — trap students into becoming high school star athletes.

Merritt whips out her rule book again this week and sets some standards on e-vites. Should you be required to RSVP if you don’t plan on attending the event?

Charles buys an iPad. While he’s reading the newspaper, Merritt’s friend uses her own iPad to look for spiders in the dark… at a zoo sleepover. Listen to it all on this week’s Bursting the Bubble.

Merritt has been doing her homework on community leagues this week. Is the HP Community League the voice of its residents or just part of Town Hall? You decide. Merritt knows a thing or two about the UP Community League as well. Read her column in this week’s paper.

The latest heated discussion is of the Bradfield Elementary yearbook. Sounds like they’ll end up with two of them this year. The first version didn’t follow yearbook guidelines, so now it has to be rebuilt from scratch. A petition has been started. But putting that yearbook online with all the students’ names and photos? Maybe that wasn’t such a good idea.

Listen to it all on this week’s Bursting the Bubble, and catch Max Fuqua’s nickname for the show.

On this week’s Bursting the Bubble, join Merritt and Charles as they discuss the City Council election’s ad campaign (Merritt’s been doing some research and careful reading) and why UP needs “more bureaucracy and red tape.” Charles hopes to see better use of city money.

On the topic of politics (and booze), Dallas’ wet petition gains support by some unexpected folks in the Park Cities. Also, Merritt and Charles discuss Max Fuqua’s role in steering the petition.

The Belles’ secret locker room went without air conditioning for awhile. No serious injuries were reported, but some probably suffered bad hair days. Listen to it all here.

Summer is just around the corner, which means it’s time to decide on summer camps. Merritt believes the Kanakuk Kamps are now safer than ever (See Pete Newman incident).

Charles is in charge of the house this week, so watch out. A crazy plan is in the works to trick you into cooking for him and his kids.

Merritt visits the new Rusty Taco and gives good reviews, if you don’t count the 30-minute wait — nothing a couple of margaritas couldn’t fix. Charles also shares his favorite taco joints and favorite places to hold fake breakfast meetings.

Merritt whips out her rule book on fourth-grade-graduation celebrations. How far is too far? Find out on this week’s Bursting the Bubble.

This week, Charles and Merritt talk it out with special guest Steve Mace, UP’s community information officer.

They discuss the city’s expenditures on Hitzelberger Park and Coffee Park, and how the City Council envisions the future of Snider Plaza.

Merritt wants city officials to admit that money has been wasted on certain city projects, but Mace defends the city’s decisions in its expenditures to ensure a better and safer community.

This week, Merritt shares her frustration at the dangerous MIS carpool lane. Unfortunately, three previous accidents involving children have not set higher standards for safety.

The Hitzelberger Park, formerly Barbara Hitzelberger Park, is undergoing changes once again. Find out what and for how much.

So, how many people does it take to make something happen in the Park Cities? Too few, says Charles and Merritt; although, the mystery stump in Snider Plaza is gone thanks to a handful of residents. Hear other suggestions for the city’s improvement on this week’s Bursting the Bubble.

On this week’s Bursting the Bubble, Charles defends the iPad. He doesn’t know why, but he must have one.

The Snider Plaza parking situation is not getting solved. Soon, we’ll have to ride horses around, or maybe we could just wear polo gear around. Charles discusses women who dress like they’ve been working out but are really just out to drink.

Merritt has big plans for a remake of Erykah Badu’s most recent music video. Prepare for some streaking in the Park Cities. Listen to it all here.