SMALL SCREEN, BIG BUCKS: Janis Burklund may be the head of the Dallas Film Commission, but it’s primarily television that’s keeping her busy these days. The commission’s fiscal year runs from September to September, and the numbers from the last fiscal year are starting to arrive. And, they’re pretty good, adding up to an estimated economic impact of $230 million on the region – mostly from television projects. “Television understands in a different way [from film] about having the good crew base, good talent base, diverse locations and easy access through D/FW (International Airport),” she tells dallasnews.com. “They may be here for years, so they have to think, ‘If all incentives went away today, where would we want to be?'”

THE YEAR IN LOCAL MUSIC: Preston Jones begins his look at the year in local music for dfw.com by saying this is the toughest year he’s had yet in terms of narrowing down his list. But manage, he did. And coming out on top – Burning Hotels’ self-titled album. Interestingly, Calhoun’s Heavy Sugar came in an No. 2 – it was No. 1 on Fort Worth Weekly‘s list, which ranked Burning Hotels No. 2.

WHAT’S IN A BATON?: Last month, Musical America named Dallas Symphony Orchestra musical director Jaap van Zweden its conductor of the year. But be honest – have you ever wondered just a little bit how important the one guy on the stage not playing an instrument is to the orchestra’s sound? Justin Davidson, a critic for New York magazine, recently took to the podium to get a better understanding himself. Needless to say, his eyes were opened.