On the Town - Dallas

Our Town

A look inside the lives of four Dallas/Ft. Worth locals.

BY PAULA FELPS

Brad Oldham

SCULPTOR (CREATED NEW TRAVELING MAN SCULPTURE SERIES) NUMBER OF SCULPTURES IN HIS LIVING ROOM: 67

Describe the "Traveling Man" series. "The exhibit is a series of three large-scale installations - including a 38-foot-tall sculpture - that are the latest additions to Dallas Area Rapid Transit's public art program."

How is the series unique? "First off, it's enormous. There's nothing else that I know of like it. And it's a destination piece: You're going to go stand by it and look up at it and have your picture taken with it. It's a good nod to the history of this area, and if people enjoy it, then we've done our job."

What's your favorite place to enjoy art in DFW?
"The Nasher Sculpture Center. It has such a variety of great pieces. People are so much less inhibited when they're looking at art outside, and I love that about the Nasher. It's a great space to enjoy art."

Paula Lambert

OWNER, MOZZARELLA COMPANY AND COOKBOOK AUTHOR FAVORITE WINE AND CHEESE PAIRING: PORT AND BLUE CHEESE

Where did your interest in food come from?
"My grandmother. She made the most wonderful soups and cobblers, and I loved helping her. I was always interested in food. My mother didn't cook, but she would go to cooking schools just to get recipes for me."

How has Dallas' culinary scene evolved since you opened Mozzarella Company in 1982?
"It's gone through some drastic changes. Today, Dallas appreciates local foods more than ever before. We have farmers markets springing up all over the place. It's great to see it evolve into this."

Where's the best place in Dallas to enjoy cheese?
"You can go to one of the wonderful wine bars in town; I like Crú in the West Village. Or you can go to the Dallas Arboretum or Lee Park on Turtle Creek."

Ron Washington

FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN TO MANAGE TEXAS RANGERS BASEBALL TEAM
NICKNAME: SWEET

What is it like working in baseball in a state known for football?
"I don't think we can ever overtake how the fans feel about the Cowboys. They're a worldwide team, like the Yankees or the Red Sox. The Rangers have to become more successful and put their stamp on this sport before we get those kinds of fans."

Which do you like best: being a player, coach or manager?
"Playing. As a coach, you're helping develop your players, and as a manager, you're leading them and making them believe in what they can achieve. But I love the mano-a-mano aspect of competition, where it's just me against you. Nothing compares to that."

Where do you like to refuel after a big game or intense practice?
"I like The Capital Grille in Dallas. They had a great Sicilian bass entrée the last time I went. Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen is another great restaurant. It has amazing Cajun cuisine."

Melissa Rycroft

FORMER DALLAS COWBOYS CHEERLEADER, REALITY TV STAR AND SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT FOR "GOOD MORNING AMERICA"
FAVORITE DANCE: HER LAST SAMBA ON "DANCING WITH THE STARS"

Did you always want to be on TV?
"Not at all. The season I tried out was the first time they filmed 'Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders: Making the Team,' so I didn't know anything about [the show] until I was at the tryouts. And one of my friends nominated me to be on 'The Bachelor,' and I was so sure I'd be sent home that I didn't bring enough stuff. I ended up having to borrow from the other girls."

Where do you spend your nights out on the town?
"I'm more into the bar scene than trendy clubs. I like going to places where I don't have to dress up. I like keeping it low-key. I think the House of Blues is awesome, and I love the Social House."

What's one place everyone should visit in DFW?
"I know that everyone thinks they've been to a Six Flags, but ours is the coolest. (The Titan is one of the world's 10 tallest rollercoasters.) It's the best place to go when you need a break from everything."