Stonewall Democrats respond

Re: “Dallas County chooses sides in transgender debate — Commissioners should stay out of medical disputes,” Sept. 23 editorial.

We, the Stonewall Democrats of Dallas, feel compelled to respond to the recent editorial addressing the resolution passed by the Dallas County Commissioners in support of the LGBTQ+ community.

We praise the Dallas County Commissioners in their resolve to stand up for LGBTQ+ rights and defend the health care and right to self-determination of all residents in Dallas County. Gender-affirming health care is lifesaving.

LGBTQ+ young people are more than four times as likely to attempt suicide than their peers. According to the Trevor Project’s 2023 U.S. National Survey on the Mental Health of LGBTQ Young People, roughly half of transgender and nonbinary youth seriously considered suicide in the past year. This is a health crisis.

Additionally, we take issue with the notion that this resolution divides the Dallas County LGBTQ+ community. The LGBTQ+ movement has always thrived on unity and mutual support. From the very beginning, transgender activists stood alongside gay men and lesbians during the Stonewall uprising, which sparked the modern gay rights movement.

Throughout the AIDS crisis, it was the full spectrum of the LGBTQ+ community, including transgender individuals, who stood shoulder to shoulder with gay men, providing care and advocacy when many were abandoned by society. This solidarity has only strengthened over the decades as we collectively championed marriage equality.

While we acknowledge differing opinions within our community regarding certain issues, we must remember that our history is rooted in unity and mutual respect. We stand firm against any division that seeks to undermine our collective progress. We stand firmly with the transgender community in their struggle for lifesaving medical care and equal rights.

The Stonewall Democrats of Dallas Executive Committee

City Hall needs overhaul

Re: “Dallas adopts land plan — Outline passed after two years of drafting, months of community meetings,” Thursday news story.

Thank you to Mayor Eric Johnson and council members Carolyn King Arnold, Jesse Moreno and Cara Mendelsohn for supporting single-family neighborhoods. Every type of housing has its place, but not all in the same place. Strong neighborhoods are the backbone of the city. We pay taxes, we vote, we raise our families here. We purchased homes with the understanding that certain zoning protections came with that purchase. What other city promises will now be broken?

The culture at City Hall needs an overhaul. Recent stories about a failed lead removal program, failure to hold landlords accountable for substandard living conditions, failure to maintain city-owned properties (999 Technology Blvd. and at 711 S. St. Paul St., for recent examples) and permitting problems suggest a need for change.

We will have an election next May where we will have the opportunity to elect representatives who will support strong neighborhoods and the residents of the city of Dallas. Will your representative have your best interest at heart or their own interests? Vote and make your voice heard.

Laurie Johnson, Dallas

U.S. a great nation

Re: “We do not have a nation that’s dying — Despite what one presidential candidate says, our economy and generosity are alive and well. I see it every day,” by Peter Johnson, Sept. 22 Opinion.

I enjoyed Johnson’s opinion giving a positive view of America. I feel exactly the way he does. It certainly counters the dark dystopian and false view of our nation that Donald Trump keeps telling us about every day during his rally speeches. It is so depressing.

We need to be uplifted, and Johnson has done just that. We have a great nation no matter what the candidates tell us.

Richard Bach, Garland

Bankruptcy rights bipartisan

Students are losing on predatory student loans. Both parties should be fighting to return bankruptcy rights to student loans. This is a bipartisan issue. All other loans (mortgages, cars, unpaid taxes, etc.) have bankruptcy rights and consumer protections and student loans should be no different.

There are nearly 4 million Texans paying $8 billion to the Department of Education each year. How do politicians like U.S. Sens. John Cornyn and Ted Cruz, and Rep. Brian Birdwell, R-Granbury, sleep at night?

Representatives of Texas should be fighting tooth and nail to get bankruptcy rights restored. Texas should support students and education. It’s important!

Jacque Abron, Midlothian

Texas and education

Public schools, as I see it, have three main functions: education, socialization and providing inclusivity for students. Texas ranks in the bottom half of states in education. Gov. Greg Abbott’s fixation on school vouchers will only help the wealthy while ignoring lower-income families, some of whom can barely afford school clothes and supplies. Will there be a maximum income for those receiving assistance?

Our “rainy day fund” would be better used to increase teacher salaries and improve the infrastructure for our public schools.

Including Christian teachings and posting the Ten Commandments is not inclusive of all faiths. Commandments 1-4 relate to the Judeo-Christian God, ignoring the gods of other religions. Good luck teaching Commandment 7 to young kids. Why not post Commandments 6, 8, 9 and 10, along with the Golden Rule?

Teaching only Christian values is demeaning to non-Christians. Should we also teach from other religious texts? I’m a Christian, but I also respect other faiths.

Why not set aside some classroom time each week to address bullying and conflict resolution? Teach kids how to live with each other peacefully. Maybe we could prevent future violence in our schools.

Vivian Bush, Ovilla

We welcome your thoughts in a letter to the editor. See the guidelines and submit your letter here. If you have problems with the form, you can submit via email at letters@dallasnews.com

Tennessee Titans fans who have traveled to Miami for the “Monday Night Football” game against the Dolphins will no longer be able to try the classic Cuban sandwich from Versailles, which once served them at Hard Rock Stadium.

But there are satellite locations throughout Miami International Airport for visitors to taste the iconic flavor of “the world’s most famous Cuban restaurant,” as the establishment proudly proclaims on its sign.

Nicole Valls, who was practically raised in the restaurant, is today co-owner of the iconic eatery that her grandfather first opened in 1971.

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“It was pretty cool growing up in the restaurant industry and especially being a part of Versailles,” Valls told Fox News Digital in an on-camera interview, calling it “the epicenter of the city of Miami.” (See the video at the top of this article.)

Versailles serves as a regular congregating spot for Miami’s large Cuban American population, particularly during important events in their native country’s history.

“It was like our funhouse,” Valls said, reflecting on the childhood memories she shared with her siblings. 

“We would come here, run around, go to the bakery, grab sweets. And then, later on in life, you realize what an important role the restaurant has within the Cuban American community and the city of Miami in general.”

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One of the restaurant’s most popular meals, Valls said, is the Cuban sandwich.

“It’s a comfort food,” she said.

A freshly pressed Cuban sandwich from Versailles is seen on a cutting board in the kitchen of the Miami restaurant. (Peter Burke/Fox News Digital)

Although there is debate as to the origin of the Cuban sandwich, Valls said it’s the authentic, unchanged ingredients of her family’s recipe that have stood the test of time.

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“It’s family recipes,” Valls said. 

“It’s recipes of people who worked in the kitchen when we first started that’s just kind of been passed around through all these decades to what it is today.”

“It’s just a great, hearty sandwich that I think is delicious.”

Asked why she believes the Cuban sandwich is so popular, Valls said it all comes back to the Cuban bread – Versailles makes its own – and a “combination of the flavors.”

Said Valls, “It’s just a great, hearty sandwich that I think is delicious.”

Versailles makes its own Cuban bread, co-owner Nicole Valls told Fox News Digital.  (Peter Burke/Fox News Digital)

Jose Bido is the restaurant’s resident Cuban sandwich expert. He’s in charge of quality control, making sure the family recipe is followed to perfection. 

He also showed Fox News Digital how the Cuban sandwich comes together.

Cuban Sandwich by Versailles

Serves 2-4 people

Shown above and as photographed by Fox News Digital are the ingredients that Versailles uses to make its signature Cuban sandwiches. (Peter Burke/Fox News Digital)

Ingredients

1 (2-foot) Cuban bread loaf

12 oz. sweet ham

7 oz. lean pork

7 oz. Swiss cheese

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Mustard

Dill pickles

Butter

Versailles chef Jose Bido poses with the Cuban sandwich he prepared for Fox News Digital. (Peter Burke/Fox News Digital)

Directions

1. Preheat a large frying pan over medium high heat or a sandwich press to 300 degrees.

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2. Cut the loaf of bread in half, horizontally. Spread a thin layer of mustard evenly on one side of the bread. On the other side of the bread, layer the pork, then the ham, then the cheese, followed by the pickles. Top the sandwich with the other half of the loaf. 

3. Cut the sandwich into the desired portions and brush the top outside crust with butter.

Nicole Valls is co-owner of Versailles, Miami’s famed Cuban restaurant that has been in business since 1971. Asked why she believes her restaurant’s Cuban sandwich is so popular, Valls said it all comes back to the Cuban bread – Versailles makes its own – and a “combination of the flavors.” (Peter Burke/Fox News Digital)

4. Place the sandwiches in the preheated pan or sandwich press.

5. After 2-3 minutes, flip the sandwich if it’s on the pan. Cook another 2 minutes or until the sandwich is heated through and the cheese is melted.

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This original recipe is owned by Versailles and was shared with Fox News Digital.

Brittany Kasko of Fox News Digital contributed reporting. 

It is a story that we have seen play out far too many times this season.

The Braves had the ability to potentially make things simple and easy on Sunday when it comes to making the postseason. However, due to a 4-2 loss to the Royals, Atlanta will now have to play a doubleheader in Atlanta vs. the Mets with their season on the line on Monday. While Charlie Morton made a few costly mistakes, the offense once again failed several times to capitalize on run-scoring opportunities.

As a result, it is win or go home for the Braves on Monday. Fortunately, they only have to win one of the two games to make the playoffs. And with the same being the case for the Mets, there is a good chance who ever wins the first game will not give much effort in the second contest.

It will be Spencer Schwellenbach in the first game for the Braves while Tylor Megill will take the mound for the Mets. On paper, that matchup favors the Braves, and Atlanta will have extra incentive to win Game 1 as that means NL pitching Triple Crown and likely Cy Young winner Chris Sale can then be saved for Game 1 of the NL Wild Card round. If Atlanta loses the first game on Monday, Sale gets the ball in Game 2.

The set up is simple for the Braves:

Win one or more games tomorrow, they will play the Padres in San Diego on Tuesday in the first round of the NL Wild Card round.

If they lose both games, the season is over.

Atlanta has bounced back many times this season, and they now have no choice but to do it once again.

Braves News

Five Braves are among the finalists for the ALL-MLB awards for 2024.

David O’brien breaks down all the chaos and why the Braves and Mets will need to play both games on Monday.

Justin Toscano points out the Braves still very much control their own destiny.

MLB.com breaks down all the scenarios for tomorrow’s doubleheader.

Mark Bowman discusses Morton’s performance and Monday’s significance for the Braves.

MLB News

The Mets defeating the Brewers on the road and the Diamondbacks beating the Padres set up a dramatic end to the season for the National League on Monday.

Tarik Skubal wins the AL pitching Triple Crown for in what likely will be a Cy Young season for himself, much like Chris Sale in the National League.

Many of the times and settings of the early playoff rounds are already known as we await the final two teams for the National League.

Rocco Baldelli will return as the Twins manager in 2025.

The Cardinals are likely to move on from veteran slugger Paul Goldschmidt this offseason. They also will likely listen to offers for veteran pitcher Sonny Gray.

Justin Turner plans to continue playing in 2025.