North Texas Sports

Who doesn't like a little fun tossed in with some mystery in a book? The author of the Lola Cruz mystery book series,Melissa Bourbon Ramirez plays her words just right to keep readers entertained and enthralled in her stories. And as an added bonus- you can now pick her brain and find out how she works and what inspires her to write. Ramirez will light up the conversation at Great Conversations 2013 on the topic of Mystery and Mayhem: Finding inspiration for writing in everyday life and the stories around us.

If you're looking for an intellectually stimulating evening to really make your brain percolate, check out this great event held by the University of North Texas’s Honors Collegesr on Thursday, February 26^th this year from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Apogee Stadium. The event is like a dinner party, but instead of everyone sharing one table, there will be 28 tables, each with its own unique host to lead conversation. These conversation leaders are all well-versed and accomplished individuals who will guide the banter of the table on important and stimulating topics, ranging from the intellectual to the light-hearted.

With such a wide selection of tables, hosts, and topics to choose from, there is certainly something to picque everyone's interests. Choose Table 21 to enjoy conversating with author Melissa Ramirez. Or try Table 1 with photojournalist Thorne Anderson. He will lead everyone on the topic of War Through a Lense: Every Picture Tells a Story. With years of experience photographing wars overseas, you can share in his stories and find all about Anderson's experience in Afghanistan and beyond.

Attending Great Conversations gives everyone a chance to pick the minds of their table’s hosts over the course of a delicious dinner and decadent dessert. Tickets are $65 and are available for purchase online, and you get to choose which table you sit at, depending on which host and topic appeal to you most. Topics at this year’s Great Conversations range from sports to the amazing women of the Wild West. Money raised by tickets purchased benefits UNT’s Honor College programming and scholarship funds.

So, what are you waiting for? Buy your tickets and mark your calendar for a night of an enriching exchange of words like no other.

What: Contemplating Limits, an art exhibition from the University of North Texas College of Visual Arts and Design

When: Exhibition on display Aug. 28 (Tuesday) – Sept. 22 (Saturday)

Opening reception: 5 to 7 p.m. Aug. 30 (Thursday)

Gallery talk with artists Austin Ballard, Kirsten Macy and Gary Passanise: 6 p.m. Aug. 30

Gallery talk with artist Robin Dru Germany: 10 a.m. Sept. 20 (Thursday)

Where: UNT Art Gallery in the UNT Art Building, one block west of Mulberry and Welch streets

Cost: Free

Contact: www.gallery.unt.edu or 940-565-4316

DENTON (UNT), Texas --Contemplating Limits, an exhibition featuring four artists’ works conveying ideas about structure, will be on display beginning Aug. 28 (Tuesday) in the University of North Texas Art Gallery — part of the UNT College of Visual Arts and Design.

“The idea for Contemplating Limits grew from a studio visit with artist Gary Passanise, who described the limitations of the painting structure and surface — a circumstance long considered by artists,” said Tracee Robertson, director of the UNT Art Galleries and curator of the exhibition. “In a sense, Passanise makes this the subject of his paintings. After our visit, I thought of structure as the expectations we have about physical forms and cultural experiences. The works in this show invite viewers to meditate on imagery and narrative that provide alternative views to what initially may be imagined.”

The free exhibition will be on display through Sept. 22 (Saturday) in the UNT Art Gallery in the UNT Art Building, one block west of Mulberry and Welch streets. An opening reception will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. Aug. 30 (Thursday), and a gallery talk with artists Austin Ballard, Kirsten Macy and Gary Passanise will be held at 6 p.m. Aug. 30. A gallery talk with artist Robin Dru Germany is set for 10 a.m. Sept. 20 (Thursday). Visit www.gallery.unt.edu or call 940-565-4316 for more information.

ARTISTS

A recent graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design, Austin Ballard's (North Carolina) small sculptural works in this exhibition employ everyday materials, such as cardboard, mirrored glass and concrete, and appear as models for much larger scenes. Ballard's sites of turned-over scaffolds or propped-up walls seem to explore a kind of futility in structure, in its purpose or its expectation of longevity. Small-scale structures, such as the supports for a pier or a sports arena, lay collapsed and abandoned. Colorful pennants that convey carnival or festival appear crushed, tangled in debris and suggestive of tragedy or simply of neglect and time passing.

Robin Dru Germany (Texas) makes photographic work that “is an inquiry into the nature of being human.” Germany's images seem to manipulate imagery from nature to refer to humanness, to the body's veins, skins and entrails -- and their dysfunction -- or to the way the eye sees imperfectly or to human imagination and longing for processes and phenomenon that are not immediately available to us. In this series of photographs, Germany explores the personality of bodies of water and our relationship to them both physically in the cast-off objects we contribute, which float or wash to shore, and emotionally in our conception of oceans and rivers as mysterious and dangerous.

Kirsten Macy (California and Texas) makes paintings and sculptures that impart a sense of life that has been vacated and is decaying, and like Ballard's sculptures, test the limits of human histories. What we create and eventually leave behind -- architecture, stories, people -- are reduced in her recent paintings to vast, blank horizons disrupted by misplaced objects, lines and explosions. Macy's visual style draws on aesthetics of video games and digital animation, lending an otherworldly sense of the future.

Gary Passanise (Missouri) has been painting for more than 30 years and often makes works in large scale. His current abstract paintings question the very structure of painting, which for hundreds of years has been a rectangular, flat surface. Artists before Passanise have struggled with this limitation, changing the shape of canvases or repeating the flat edge of the canvas across its surface, among other explorations. Passanise uses the canvas structure -- its rectangular shape -- as the subject in his abstract works, overlapping rectangles to build new, fictional forms that take on a life of their own in our imaginations. This effect suggests a power to communicate despite the limits or traditions of form.

SPONSORS

This exhibition is made possible by the UNT Fine Arts Series, Goodmor Construction Inc., and Karen SG Milnes Design, with additional support from the UNT College of Visual Arts and Design.

Celebrate the tradition and fun at the 19^th Annual Dog Days of Denton Celebration on Friday, June 1st and Saturday, June 2nd.   Relax in the evening shade of north Quakertown Park on Friday night as the festival brings back “yappy” hour from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., and start the fun again on Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m..

“We will continue our Friday night hours, and we saw an increase in attendance on Friday night last year due to the cooler evening temperatures,” said Christine Gossett, co-director for the Dog Days of Denton Celebration.  “We also plan to continue expanding our cool zone and rest areas for all to enjoy.”      

In addition to festival fun, Dog Days of Denton features educational programs with a spotlight this year on the Lions’ Club Leader Dog Program – a service dog program for the seeing-impaired.  Tammy Freeman with her leader dog, an English Black Lab named Vince, will share her story about how she benefitted from the Lions’ Club program and the importance of this special bond between canines and humans.  Sandy Griffin, a Leader Dog trainer, will also talk about what is involved in preparing dogs for service.  A portion of the proceeds from the hot dog and water sales at this year’s event will go to the Lions’ Club Leader Dog Program. 

The same traditional fun will happen on both Friday night and Saturday, with some activities and contests featured on Friday or Saturday only. The “Heinz 57” Contest is on Friday night, with several fun categories for any pooch of any mix or breed to compete in several categories ranging from curliest tail to longest tongue.  Attendees can also learn about various breeds and pet care tips on Friday and Saturday, as well as see canine training and sport demonstrations.  Returning again this year are the Dallas Dog ‘n Disc, TC Cappel Dancing with the Dogs (Freestyle) and Texas Heat Flyball with demonstrations on Friday and Saturday. The “Glamfur” photos, creative arts/crafts items for both canines and their owners, games for kids and canines, pet care information, pet adoptions and rescues, festival foods and more will also be featured Friday night & Saturday.

Saturday’s festivities start off with a Canine Couture Fashion Parade, more demonstrations, presentations, and the traditional canine contests including Pet Tricks, Dog Singing, and the popular Spokesdog Pageant between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 2 p.m..  For 2012 Spokesdog Pageant entry guidelines and a complete schedule for the weekend, including contests, entertainment, demonstrations and more, please visit the website www.dogdaysdenton.com.  

The Dog Days of Denton Celebration will be held in the north end of Quakertown Park at 321 E. McKinney Street in downtown Denton.  General admission to the event is FREE.  Friendly, non-aggressive dogs are welcome. The Dog Days of Denton Celebration requires that ALL dogs be kept on a leash and controlled by their owners. Owners are responsible for their dogs’ behavior.  Dogs need to have current vaccinations. For more information on the event, please visit www.dogdaysdenton.com. Dog Days of Denton – where fun and responsible pet ownership and care come together.

Dog Days is presented by Denton Record-Chronicle, City of Denton, Denton County Animal ER, Invisible Fence of Greater Dallas, and Huffines, with the support of Muenster Milling and Southridge Animal Hospital. Dog Days of Denton is a not for profit 501 (c) (3).  

For pet-friendly overnight accommodations, please check the www.dogdaysdenton.com website or visit www.discoverdenton.com.      

THE NFL EXPERIENCE IS BIGGER AND BETTER THAN EVER

LEADING UP TO SUPER BOWL XLV, AT DALLAS CONVENTION CENTER,
JAN. 27-30, FEB. 2-6

NFL Players, Coaches and Celebrities to Participate in 2011 NFL Experience
 

The largest NFL Experience, the NFL’s interactive theme park, is coming to North Texas leading up to Super Bowl XLV at the Dallas Convention Center Jan. 27-30, Feb. 2-6, 2011.  

Spanning more than 850,000 square feet, The NFL Experience will feature a record number of interactive games and sponsor attractions, live entertainment, player autograph sessions, NFL Shop, the Vince Lombardi Trophy, an exclusive Super Bowl rings display, and more.

Fans who attend The NFL Experience may test their skills in a variety of football attractions in which they can run, throw, punt, kick and tackle just like the pros. A sampling of interactive areas include “Run to Daylight,” where fans can clock their 40-yard dash time, “The Drive,” the ultimate resistance training test as you struggle to reach the goal line while being restrained by a bungee harness and “Quarterback Challenge,” where fans show off their passing accuracy on moving targets.

This year’s NFL Experience also features the largest “NFL RUSH ZONE” to date, offering games and attractions designed for kids aged 3-10 years old. Children will be able to participate in special NFL PLAY 60 Youth Football clinics featuring NFL FLAG and USA Football FUNdamentals, which provides basic football skills to youth athletes on the NFL Experience’s Clinic Field.

Fans may watch, learn and even participate in the process of creating a game-quality football from start to finish at the Wilson Football Factory. The Factory also will offer customized stitching and have exclusive Super Bowl XLV products on sale.

Football fans and fashionistas alike will enjoy shopping at the NFL Shop. Covering 30,000 square feet, the NFL Shop features an extensive collection of NFL licensed apparel and merchandise from all 32 teams and Super Bowl XLV.

The Memorabilia Show gives fans an opportunity to obtain autographs from as many as 100 current and former NFL players appearing over the eight-day period, as well as buy a variety of merchandise from 30,000 square feet of displays and rare collectibles from dealers from across the country. In all, nearly 10,000 free autographs will be distributed over the five days.

New this year to The NFL Experience will be the NFL Memorabilia Road Show.  All football fans have the opportunity to dust off their own sports memorabilia collection and bring it to the NFL Experience on Saturday, January 29 to have it appraised for free by Mike Berkus and Hunt Auctions, both respected appraisers in the field of sports memorabilia. 

This year, The NFL Experience will feature a special traveling collection from the Pro Football Hall of Fame that includes newly-carved, bronze busts of the members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2010 such as Jerry Rice, Emmitt Smith, John Randle, Floyd Little and others.

Coaches’ chats and Football 101 clinics will be held throughout The NFL Experience in the replica NFL Locker Room.  NFL coaches and officials will lead discussions on the fundamentals of football, safety tips and instructional workshops.

Inside the NFL Network Theater, fans will be able to view America’s Game from Super Bowl XLIV and preview of the soon-to-be-released film about Super Bowl XLV. The videos, produced by NFL Films, highlight the emotional season-long journey of a Super Bowl champion team.

For an updated schedule of events and player appearances, fans may call The NFL Experience toll-free hotline at 1-888-NFL-CARD (635-2273).  

Fans also may follow @superbowl on Twitter for up-to-date news and fan opportunities in North Texas for Super Bowl XLV including details about The NFL Experience. All players scheduled to appear are subject to change without notice.

Tickets may be purchased in advance over the phone by calling (866) TIX-4NFL (849-4635), online at www.superbowl.com and at the gate beginning Jan. 27. Tickets are $25.00 for adults and $20.00 for children 12 and under, and permit entry for a particular day and time.  Tickets to NFLX After Dark, a three-hour football party for adults that takes place on Thursday, Feb. 3, from 9 p.m. to Midnight, are $15. Tickets purchased by phone and online are subject to a Ticketmaster service charge. Tickets sold at the gate will be available for pick up during operational days and hours only.

NFL Charities donates a $1 million Super Bowl Legacy Grant to benefit youth in the local community from proceeds from ticket sales to The NFL Experience each year.  These funds are used to establish enrichment centers for under-served youth in diverse communities. In 2011, the North Texas Youth Education Town will open its doors in Arlington as a result of proceeds generated by The NFL Experience at Super Bowl XLV. 

All activities at The NFL Experience are included in the price of admission.  Fans may stay in the theme park as long as they like, but re-entry is not permitted.

The NFL Experience takes place in conjunction with Super Bowl XLV, which will be held on Sunday, Feb. 6, at Cowboys Stadium in North Texas.

The NFL Experience 2011 Schedule of Events

HOURS OF OPERATION (subject to change):

Thursday, Jan. 27: 

5 p.m. – 10 p.m.
 

Friday, Jan. 28:

3 p.m. – 10 p.m.
 

Saturday, Jan. 29: 

10 a.m. – 10 p.m.
 

Sunday, Jan. 30:

11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
 

Monday Jan. 31:

NFL Experience Closed
NFL Shop (Open to public) 11 a.m.-6 p.m.

Tuesday, Feb. 1:

NFL Experience Closed
NFL Shop (Open to public) 11 a.m.-6 p.m.

Wednesday, Feb 2:

3 p.m.-10 p.m.
 

Thursday, Feb. 3:

3 p.m. – 9 p.m. (General admission)
9 p.m. – Midnight (NFLX After Dark)

Friday, Feb. 4:

3 p.m. – 10 p.m.
 

Saturday, Feb. 5:

10 a.m. – 10 p.m.
 

Sunday, Feb. 6:

10 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Speaking of Denton…and Everybody Is!!

From Sports to Music to Art, Denton has been the talk lately.   Even our hotels are news. The Best Western Premier Crown Chase Inn & Suites has been Denton’s hot spot in recent articles in Vacation Agent Magazine as well as USA Today Travel. 

Highlighting the arts in Denton, Denton Record Chronicle’s Lucinda Breeding recapped the year and brought to mind the amenities and attractions that draw visitors to Denton throughout the year. Her articles, Denton’s Best of 2010 and 4 reasons to love 2010, serve to also remind Dentonites that tourism makes a positive and important impact on our quality of life.

Denton’s unique vibe and creative energy are the focus in Texas Highways’ back to back stories about Denton. The January issue features Denton’s own O’Neal Ford, Texas’ most famous architect, in A Celebration of Place. Denton’s internationally recognized music scene is the heart throb of February’s six-page feature story called “Denton After Dark.” 

Upcoming events like the Thin Line Film Festival and 35 Conferette already have people talking on blogs, in interviews, and in print, particularly in Denton Live and in The Dallas Observer. And, the North Texas’ region’s biggest game for 2011, Super Bowl XLV, will play itself out all around the magic date of February 6. Denton is a proud member of the North Texas Super Bowl XLV Host Committee. We are rolling out the red carpet to welcome the region’s football fans.

It’s happening here in 2011. Come on out and discover Denton!

Story by: Brian Collins

Recently, UNT Director of Athletics Rick Villarreal led a tour through the past and the future of UNT's new up-and-coming football stadium. He boasted about his state of the art project, and the talks of a proposal that will put three wind turbines around the structure that will  provide 80 to 85% of the power of the stadium. He is not shy to mention that the rebranding of North Texas football is being designed and constructed by Dallas based HKS, the same group that put together the marvel that is Cowboys Stadium.

Villarreal's plan for the opening of the 30,000 capacity stadium is a big one. Containing a UNT merchandise store that has unique items found nowhere else ( special UNT shirts, University of North Texas flags, bumper stickers, etc.), he also plans to bring the community in on the action. He is planning to host everything from high school football games to concerts in the new stadium.

You may have noticed that I haven't mentioned any names when referring to the stadium. That is because Villarreal is setting up many naming contests, for wings of the stadium, the endzones, and the new UNT tailgating areas (which is situated on a grassy hill, infintely better than the blacktop asphalt of the 60 year old Fouts Field).

So keep an ear to the ground about the naming contests as well as more news coming from this scene.

There is also a neat time lapse construction camera that takes a photo every hour of each work day to see the progress of the construction. The video can be found in the top right corner of MeanGreenSports.com, labeled 'New Stadium Site'.