Cleaning off my desk before a couple of days off. . .

Think you'd like to have a copy of "Food For Thought: The 1st Annual Central Dallas Ministries Family Cookbook"?

I've got a free copy of this great collection of recipes to the first person who emails me asking for it at ljames@CentralDallasMinistries.org. Be sure and provide your complete mailing address and I'll be sure to get it out to you right after the first of the year.

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Speaking of recipes. Here's one for the Dallas Cowboys:

Step 1: Sign former PittsburghSteelers coach Bill Cowher to a long-term contract as Head Coach and General Manager.

Step 2: Sit back and prepare for some real fun!

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One more New Year's Give-a-way: I also find that I have an extra copy of the new Poverty and Justice Bible on my desk.

Same deal: first email requesting that I send it to you will receive it early in 2009. Don't forget your snail-mail address!

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A question prompted by my crazy desk: If you were limited to reading just one magazine, journal or periodical during 2009 (not including daily newspapers), what would it be? Help me here!

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Getting ready for a Happy New Year in 2009 and wishing you and yours the very same!

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Cowboys' Final Curtain at Texas Stadium

So, last Saturday evening, Texas Stadium hosted its last regular season NFL Football game involving the Dallas Cowboys. Hard core fans held out hope that there would be future games during the playoffs, but after the loss to Baltimore, any chance for future home field advantage evaporated. This game saw the final curtain drop on the historic stadium.

ESPN invited Dallas sportswriter and legend, Frank Luksa rank the Top 10 greatest moments in the history of the stadium that involved the Dallas Cowboys. See what Frank thinks here.


I've always been a sports nut to say the least.

Wonder what all stands back of this love of sports and games?

How is it for you?

What has been your experience?

Part of the deal is cultural--you don't grow up in Texas and escape the place of football in the society. Texas high school football is legendary. I fell into that big time and loved my experience.

But then, it's not just football. It's baseball and, to a lesser extent for me, basketball, as well.

I've read fairly serious analyses of the impact of sport on community well-being, cohesiveness and positive identity.

What do you think about community well-being and sports?

Does sport help or hurt community unity?

Or, is it really no factor? Is the supposed benefit just wishful thinking or a convenient urban myth?

In any event, next year Jerry and the 'Boys move into their extravagant new digs in Arlington, right next door to the home of the Texas Rangers.

It is my opinion that football arenas on this scale end up not really helping the economic health of communities, certainly not low-income communities. Further, the relative return on investment to overall community economic development and improvement dollar for dollar is much greater for more routine projects, such as single-family housing, infrastructure development and improvements and new school construction.

What is your take on this issue?

I have to admit, I watched the Cowboys lose to Baltimore Saturday evening and experienced a bit of nostalgia, even though I never really liked the building that much. As with most things, its about the people, the memories and the togetherness, not so much the material stuff.

Am I the only "sports-oholic" who remains concerned about urban renewal, community development and economic justice?

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