Q. My wife and I recently moved to Dallas from California. Since we are both scuba divers, we were wondering: Where can we find the best places to go snorkeling and scuba diving in Texas? L.W., Mesquite.
A. Some scuba shops around town suggest several places for underwater frolicking. Lake Travis in Austin; Canyon Lake, northwest of New Braunfels; and Possum Kingdom Lake, two hours west of Dallas -all have visibility of 15 to 20 feet. And to make you really feel at home, the San Marcos River has crystal-clear visibility of 40 to 50 feet. But holiday weekends are hopeless causes for visibility at any of these spots, and unless you’re into rusty Chevys, you won’t find any sunken treasures.
Q. A friend of mine in New York says that Ray Wylie Hubbard recently played the Lone Star Café. I’ve seen him perform several times in Fort Worth, and I think he’s one of the sexiest performers to come out of Texas since Guy Clark. Can you tell me more about him? D.F., Garland.
A. Hubbard, 35, is a prod-A. uct of Oak Cliff. His interest in music was sparked in high school among such schoolmates as Michael Murphy and B.W. Stevenson. Since then, he has cut three records, the latest of which is Something About he Night. He writes a great deal of his own music and is best-known for his single hit, Up Against The Wall Redneck Mother. He recently completed a California tour followed by an appearance at the Lone Star Cafe in New York, where he’s known as “the best new sound to come out of Texas since Willie Nelson.” Billy Bob’s Texas is the site of his next appearance in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. In fact, that’s the only place he’ll perform in the two cities. His next closest appearance will be in Houston on June 11. Obviously, you’re not the only one who thinks he’s sexy, but don’t get too carried away. He’s married and has a 4-year-old son.
Q I heard the Playboy Club was having financial difficulties some years back and was kicked out of the Chicago-based chain. How well is it doing now? S.A., Richardson.
AThe Playboy Club of A. Dallas was having difficulties about two years ago, but was not kicked out of the chain. Instead, Playboy Club International bought back the franchise from Pete Cou-vall, January 1, 1981. International did some minor renovations and, in May 1981, sold the franchise to Carroll Davis Leisure Systems, Inc. of San Diego. Since then, the club has gone from 40,299 key holders in December 1980 to 54,870 currently in the Dallas area. December 1981 was a record month for the 5-year-old Dallas franchise. Carroll Davis recently purchased another franchise in San Diego, making him the only person, besides Hugh Hefner, to own more than one Playboy Club.
Q. What is Dallas’ dog population? Does Dallas have fewer dogs per capita than other major cities? I don’t see many around. R.H., Dallas.
A In a 1978 survey (the A, most-recent of its kind), there were 183,861 dogs compared to a population of 895,000. According to Dean Gray, manager of Animal Control for the city of Dallas, the people/dog ratio is average for a city of this size. Judging by statistics, you’re lucky that you haven’t had a run-in with a Dallas dog. Animal control has loads of complaints about stray dogs, and in 1981, 2,198 animal bites were reported in the city; dogs were responsible for the majority. Apparently, quite a few dog owners neither watch nor properly feed their dogs.
Q. Recently, I ran across a downtown street to catch a bus. About halfway down the block, a policeman flagged down the bus and yanked me off to give me a ticket for jaywalking. He told me that if 1 had been hit by a car, I would have been responsible for the damages. Is he right? Also, how many walking violations are issued every year? M.R., Dallas.
A. In 1981, 2,632 tickets A. were issued for walking violations in Dallas – 1,287 of which were for jaywalking. Most of these tickets were issued in the downtown area; and, yes, you are responsible for all damages if you’re hit by a car while committing a walking violation. So watch it -the downtown police have their eyes on you.
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