"It is also rumored that the greatest cuts...are going to come in older, more experienced and well-paid workers."

Layoffs in Nascar. I've always considered Nascar not so much a sport as a really fun advertising medium -- like Red Bull Air Races -- so this is more grim industry news. My hope? That there's no negative impact on the M&Ms car paint schemes. Because those have always been brilliant.

Notes from my road trip

There is not a Starbucks on every corner. Almost no one likes black walnuts but everyone likes the Black Walnut Festival. Where you grew up always seems prettier than where you are.

Incredibly urgent question: will the current economic crisis affect goodie bags?

So far, according to D home editors, no impact.

Western civilization exhales!

Still, if luxury fashion is "'irresponsible' during a recession," what does that mean for the world of over-the-top swag and celebrity freebies? Is it bad form to accept such things? Does it reflect poorly on brands included in particularly garish goodie bags? Maybe Simon Doonan is right: "Future generations of social anthropologists will look back at the early 21st century and, scratching their heads, write complex papers about that bizarre era when people refused to go anywhere unless they were rewarded for their pains with sackfuls of graft."

About Kenley's wedding dress

It does look like Alexander McQueen's design. And her bridesmaid dress owes a little something to the Sabrina dress.

I know Kenley is supposed to be the villain of this season's Project Runway but I can't hate her. Not if she's going to go and channel Edith Head.

Downtown Dallas can attract all the business it wants but everyone's still going to move to Highland Park

Wouldn't it be interesting to see how many at&t and Comerica workers actually bought homes in Dallas proper? Probably most of them landed in the Part Cities or Frisco. Probably no one chose to send their kids to Dallas schools. Why would they?

So, thankfully, somebody is doing something: "Members of the CEO group who have agreed to advise Dr. Hinojosa are volunteering their time....Mayor Tom Leppert has said DISD must take swift and decisive action to restore confidence in its financial controls. He said the school district's troubles affect all of Dallas and will have an impact on its national reputation in the business world."

Still, the Dallas Citizens Council isn't universally beloved and, if you're sensitive to appearances, you might wince at the prospect of a bunch of old guys telling the youngish Hispanic superintendent how to stick to a budget. Did anyone else step up? Doesn't look like it. Really, if executives couldn't count on finding a nice home in Highland Park, would any company re-locate to Dallas?

There's no crying in fashion!

If only the rules of baseball applied to Project Runway.

As soon as everyone ganged up on Kenley, her spot at Bryant Park was assured. No reality show producer in the world is going to pass up so much potential for catfights and drama. The other contestants should have known better.

Vince the ShamWOW! guy warned me about this

Are the orange felt cloths I bought at the Texas State Fair genuine ShamWOW! towels? I'm beginning to wonder!

The sales booth -- right in the center of the Embarcadaro Building, you can't miss it -- is manned by a product demo guy who follows Vince's script almost to the letter. He uses orange towels that are stamped "Made In Germany." And the sign says "ShamWOW." But. There's no exclamation point.

I snapped up two rolls anyway then looked at the little photocopied label curled up in my purchase: "The Original Super Shami."

Taken in at the fair. So cruel. But I wasn't the only one because everyone was toting around those big orange rolls. Also, Dillard's seemed to be doing a brisk business selling perfumes (weird to you?) and KitchenCraft is everywhere as always. If luxury merchandise isn't selling so well, I'd blame higher prices for rides and concessions. 12 coupons for the Crazy Mouse! Highway robbery.

I'm still waiting