DBJ Confidential

Dallas Business Journal - July 22, 2005

by Glenda Vosburgh

§ A film crew from the CBS "Early Show" was in town recently to film executives at CDG & Associates for a story on companies that allow new parents to bring their babies to work with them. CDG, a human resources information systems consulting business, has a policy of allowing new mothers and fathers to bring babies to work for the first six months. A network news correspondent and another employee came in from New York for the interviews, but local film and lighting crews were used. They interviewed CDG's Cyndi Rose, senior vice president; Kristi Eakin and Deborah Driskill, senior vice president, for the segment set to air July 25.

§ London designer David Emanuel -- best known for designing Princess Diana's wedding gown -- spent a week in Dallas recently shooting for his NBC-TV series, "Shopping the World." While in town the designer tried horseback riding wearing a new pair of boots from Western Warehouse. He was thrown by said horse, a source says, and spent the rest of his time here limping around. A rep for Dallas socialite Angie Barrett reports she got "the only Dallas interview" with Emanuel while he was here. The interview will air on her "Grin & Barrett" TV offering Aug. 28 on WFAA-TV (Channel 8).

§ What will people have to complain about now? For years it's been "there are no grocery stores in downtown Dallas." They have to change their tune come July 22, when Urban Market opens for business at 1500 Jackson in the Interurban Building. More than 750 people came to Saturday's sneak preview for downtown residents, so interest is apparently high. ... Genesis Thrift Store, benefiting Genesis Women's Shelter, will relocate in early August to Knight Street just off Lemmon Avenue. The new location will be larger and therefore should be better suited to accommodate donations and serve clients.

§ Variety magazine reports that Paramount has tapped Dallas native Owen Wilson for its "long-in-development" flick "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty." Can you say typecasting? Samuel Goldwyn Jr. and John Goldwyn are producers. The mag also reports that Wilson has signed to star in "You, Me and Dupree" for Universal Studios.

§ Here's an award of dubious distinction. Shell is looking for the dirtiest cars in Dallas-Fort Worth to take part in its "Clean to the Extreme" makeover contest. The car deemed to be the dirtiest in town by a contest judge will win a grand-prize package that includes $1,000 worth of Shell gasoline, $250 worth of Jiffy Lube car maintenance services; $250 worth of car wash and detailing services and $200 in car-care products. Nine runners-up will win a $100 Shell gift card. If you think you've got the winning dirt clod on wheels, stop by the Shell station at 1302 W. McDermott in Allen on July 23 about noon.

§ Congrats to Chef Jon Bonnell, Bonnell's Fine Texas Cuisine in Fort Worth. He's been invited to cook at the prestigious James Beard House in the Big Apple -- for the second time. ... In 1855, the families of John Higgs Cole, Benjamin Franklin Hall, William Henry Hord, William Brown Miller, Jefferson Peak and Harvey Shepherd began worshiping together. Over the years the church held services in the courthouse and a blacksmith shop before building the first Dallas church in 1867 near what are now Ross and Market avenues, next to the Palm Restaurant. Today, the congregation of Highland Oaks Church of Christ is at 10805 Walnut Hill Road in Dallas and is gearing up to celebrate its 150th anniversary. Festivities will include a photo gallery with historical photos and artifacts on display on "Remembrance & History" Sunday on Aug. 7.

Vosburgh is assistant managing editor of the Dallas Business Journal. Reach her at gvosburgh@bizjournal.com

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