FREE Party in the Street for New Year's Eve!!!!

All is not lost if you have not solidified New Year's Eve plans for tonight.

Hillwood Real Estate Company and WFAA (among others) are sponsoring the annual Big D/NYE event at Victory Park tonight. The long and the short of it is this:

It's FREE (most important).
There will be several live bands performing.
There will be live media coverage (Hi Mom!)
A ball will drop.
Fireworks will go off.
A good time will be had by all.

For all the specifics, click the link below.

http://www.wfaa.com/bigdnye/

Jump Start Your New Year's Resolution to Exercise More!

Have you been curious about those Boot Camp Fitness Classes, but have been scared off by the expensive price tags and the early start times? If yes, you have the opportunity to try a single Boot Camp Fitness Class for the low, low price of 5 canned goods. That's right. You can jump start your 2009 exercise regime and help out the North Texas Food Bank at the same time.

The program is called Exercise Kindness and the Dallas event is sponsored by Transformation Boot Camp and Brinker International (the corporation behind several restaurant chains including Chili's, Maggiano's, and On the Border).

The event begins at 9am on Saturday, January 3rd on the campus of Brinker International located at Hillcrest and LBJ. Please note you have to pre-register online before participating. For additional information and to register, visit the website below.

http://www.transformationbootcamp.com/home

"This Christmas"

I just listened to "This Christmas" by Donny Hathaway. The Christmas season doesn't begin for me until I hear it. It always makes me smile and makes me want to "shake a hand, shake a hand now."

My 2nd favorite Christmas tune: Little Drummer Boy. I love everything about it: the drums, the message, everything. I think I'll play it now.

What song gets you in the Christmas spirit? Leave it in the comments!

KwanzaaFest 2008

Kwanzaa is an often misunderstood holiday-celebration-week of atonement.

Here's your (and my) opportunity to learn more about it.

KwanzaaFest is on Saturday, December 13 from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.and Sunday, December 14 from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. in the Automobile Building at Fair Park. Estimated attendees for both days exceeded 50,000 in 2007.

From http://www.dallasnews.com/ :

Dallas County Commissioner John Wiley Price will present the annual community festival on Saturday and Sunday at Fair Park. It will feature performances by R&B artists, gospel singers, dancers, jazz ensembles, drummers and more. The lineup will include Jazmine Sullivan, Plies, Baby Bash, Play N Skillz and Mary Mary. Other activities will include a health fair with screenings and information booths, a high school debate competition and a vendor fair. – NANCY MOORE / Staff Writer

This year's KwanzaaFest is noteworthy because a new event has been added to the festival. Inspired by the movie "The Great Debaters," debate teams from Carter and Roosevelt high schools will battle it out Sunday, December 14th at 2pm on the main stage.

http://www.johnwileyprice.com/kwanzaa-main.html

Salvation Army Angel Tree - It's Not Too Late

The Salvation Army is an AWESOME charitable organization that serves individuals and families 365 days/year. While we know (or should know) that Christmas isn't about gifts or money, your donation to the Salvation Army can help bring a little Christmas cheer to hundreds (thousands?) of people in North Texas.

You can drop your spare change in the red bucket, make a contribution online (or via USPS), but my personal favorite is the Angel Tree. Visit one of the many Angel Trees throughout the metroplex and adopt one or more "Angels" from the tree (I always go to Northpark Mall). These "Angels" represent individuals in need. Each card displays just two items that the person would like for Christmas: an item they need and an item they want. I know we're in a recession, but it's just two gifts and often the "Angels" ask so little of us.

My sister and I adopted 5 "Angels" this year. One "Angel" is a 66 year old woman who needs a coat and wants a knit hat. Another of our "Angels" is a 7 year old boy who needs a jacket and wants a hand held game. You see? No one's asking you to break the bank; but I am asking you to consider opening your heart and adopting an "Angel" today.

For complete details on the Angel tree, click below. Hurry! All "Angel" gifts are due back at the designated drop-off location (the same place where you adopted your Angel) by December 15, 2008. Don't delay!

http://www.salvationarmydfw.org/

Life Happens..

Rather than attempt to explain my absence over the last couple of weeks, I'll just share a few pictures and let you weave together a story. It's more fun that way.

Feeling Charitable? Wine, Women & Shoes event November 20-21, 2008

Wine, Women & Shoes is a charity event benefiting The Women’s Museum at Fair Park. Wine, Women & Shoes is comprised of three separate events that range in price from $45 - $275 depending on seating and whether you’re a member of the museum.

Rather than give you all the details, I will whet your appetite (pun included) with the names of the separate events and encourage you to visit the website for more information. This event is too rich for my blood (recession remember?) but I would love to hear about your experience if you go and would be grateful for any pictures.

Sip, Savor, and Learn
November 20th 6:30pm – 8:30pm

Sip & Shop
November 21st 11:30am – 1:30pm

Sip & Dine
November 21st 7pm

TIP: If you can afford to attend, I suspect this is going to be an excellent networking opportunity for any young (or not), ambitious woman. You never know who might be sitting on your left/right.

For more info:

http://www.winewomenandshoes.com/dallas.html

Cheap Date Alert #10: CityLights! Downtown Dallas November 14, 2008

Generally, I think that Christmas is a holiday for kids – the thoughtfulness of making a list, the preparation of cookies and milk to win the favor of the imaginary fat guy, the uncontrollable excitement that still is not enough to keep you from falling asleep on December 24th, and the ultimate rush of tearing through wrapping paper to see what the mystical fat man left under your tree (or leaning against the wall with a bow on it when I got the Pogo stick that year). Unfortunately, my sister and I are on track to becoming old maids so there are not any little people running around our homes necessitating that we decorate with wreaths, trees, and garland, and pipe endless Christmas music and the smells of vanilla and nutmeg through the air.

BUT this year I’m going to reclaim the holiday season for myself by attending CityLights! in Downtown Dallas Friday, November 14th at 6:30pm. I always cringe when people use New York City as their point of reference for an event/activity. I haven’t sipped the “NYC is the best city on Earth Kool-Aid.” However, in this case, it’s just easier. CityLights! is similar to all the festivities surrounding the lighting of the Christmas tree in NYC’s Rockefeller Center each year. During this year’s CityLights! event there will be live music, street performers, face painting, and other revelry in the immediate vicinity of Neiman Marcus on Main Street.

6:30PM – Festivities begin.

7:00PM – Lighting of Neiman Marcus store and unveiling of Neiman Marcus Christmas tree and holiday displays

7:30PM – Lighting of official downtown holiday tree at Pegasus Plaza

Area retailers and restaurants will keep their doors open later with holiday specials and other persuasive offers. Just because it’s still 73 degrees outside doesn’t mean that the holidays aren’t here. Hope to see you there.


TIP: The three Main Street District CityPark garages are offering $2 FLAT parking for the event.

Want to Buy a Piece of History?

The Dallas Morning News is selling a picture (in various sizes) shot by one of its staff of the new "First Family" of the United States during the victory celebration at Grant Park in Chicago Tuesday night. Click the link below to see the picture and to place your order. If for some reason the link doesn't work, just cut and paste into your browser.

AND/OR

You can buy a reprint of the front page of today's Dallas Morning News which includes the pic from above and all the accompanying headlines. You can also choose to have your item professionally framed.

http://www.pictopia.com/perl/ptp/dallasmn?photo_name=2008/11/081104_NPO_04OBAMAbarack4.jpg&embedded=y&thumbnail_url=www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/pt/photos/2008/11/081104_NPO_04OBAMAbarack4.jpg&title=&pps=dmnpt&time=1225915152502
I'll be placing my order tonight.

If you're feeling the pinch of the recession, fear not. There will be a special commemorative section in Sunday's edition of Dallas Morning News. And you can always cut things out of the paper and frame them yourself.

UPDATE: Beware of shipping charges. I ordered a framed reprint of the front page and the shipping cost was $37.95. That's waaaaay steep.

CONGRATULATIONS President-Elect BARACK OBAMA !!!

Election Night Watch Parties

Dallas County Democratic Party will be gathering at a street festival on N. Bishop Ave tonight beginning at 6pm. Visit http://www.pegasusnews.com/events/2008/nov/04/121114/ for more info.

Friendship-West Baptist Church and Dallas South will be gathering at 7pm for an all out election party tonight. Visit http://dallassouthblog.com/2008/10/15/friendship-westdallas-south-election-watch-party-adds-fred-hammond-geno-young-don-diego-added-to/ for more info.

Texas Democrats will be gathering at 7pm at Clipso Sports Bar &Grill (Dallas, TX)
7307 S Westmoreland Road Dallas, TX 75237.

A random group of Obama Supporters are gathering at Gilley's at 7pm. Visit http://www.dallasobserver.com/events/obama-dallas-election-party-1134536/ for more info.

Republicans will gather at 5pm at the Radisson, 6060 N. Central Expressway in Dallas.

Old Republic 2922 N Hall St, Dallas, TX has election-inspired drink specials all night.

Iron Cactus is hosting Democrats tonight. 1520 Main St, Dallas, TX

NOTE: Please don't think that I am intentionally biased towards the Democratic party. The truth is I did a google search for "Dallas election watch party" and I found only one event for Republicans. If you know of other Republican watch parties, please tell me and I will post straight away.

It's Game Day

Remember, you can only vote at your official polling location. Visit the website below to find your polling location. You must enter the address that appears on your current voter registration card. If you don't have your card, enter the address you used the last time you registered to vote. If you arrive at the polls and are told you are in the wrong place, the volunteers/staff present should be able to direct you to the appropriate location. Don't be deterred and don't delay. Voting is your right and your responsibility.

http://www.dalcoelections.org/findprecinct.asp

Everything Must Go: Circuit City Liquidation Sale

The Circuit City at Hwy 75N and Meadow is going out of business. Everything must go by December 31, 2008. The liquidation sale begins on Wednesday, November 5th.
I suspect the good stuff won't last long given that Christmas is just around the corner and we're all pinching pennies this year. If you get there before I do, grab a Canon PowerShot digital camera for me and hide it in the washer/dryer section of the store.

Hattie's Restaurant

418 Bishop Avenue
Dallas, TX 75208

214.942.7499

http://hatties.net/index.html

If you are a member of Gen X or earlier, then you remember the TV sitcom “Cheers” and its theme song which said, “Sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name, and you’re always glad you came.” The beer at Cheers was not any colder than anywhere else and the nuts were not any fresher, but none of that was the point. They went there because they wanted to feel a certain way – comfortable and familiar.

That is sort of how I felt after dining at Hattie’s in the Bishop Arts District this past Saturday. The food was just average but the restaurant itself was so full of light and air and simple elegance that I did not want to leave. Hattie’s serves up “fancified” versions of country favorites like catfish and fried chicken. I had pecan-crusted catfish with lemon butter sauce, mashed potatoes, and a veggie medley ($12.95). I ordered low country shrimp with bacon tobasco sauce on a grits cake for my mother ($13.50 I think). Neither of us was impressed with her meal; it was just dressed up country cooking. Still, I would go back because I felt good while I was there. The table cloths and cloth napkins made the experience feel like an indulgence in a world filled with “casual dining” restaurant chains and their booths and paper napkins (I’m looking at you Chili’s).

I know the place seems empty in the pictures, but they were about to close; lunch ends at 2:30pm.

Bob Schieffer's Mother Was Right!

Texas native, Bob Schieffer, ended the last of the 2008 presidential debates with this quotation from his mother, "Go vote now. It will make you feel big and strong."

I just left my early voting location and that's exactly how I feel. I didn't have to wait in line, but there was a steady stream of voters in and out of the library and the voting booths stayed full. It's an exhilarating feeling to exercise the rights that my people fought so hard for. It is both humbling and empowering. I hope I never lose this feeling.

You can vote early through October 31, 2008. For a list of early voting locations click here.

Election day is November 4, 2008.

BE A PART OF THE PROCESS!!!

Update: TX Conference for Women - Houston, TX

My experience with this year's Texas Conference for Women was comme ci comme ca. There were some good seminars (A Brand New, Brand You; Networking - Making Relationships Click). There were some bad seminars (Kicking Your Career Into Gear: An Action Plan for Creating a Worklife that Thrills).

I appreciated that continental breakfast and lunch were included with registration, but was disappointed that there wasn't a vegetarian alternative for lunch. Lunch was a grilled chicken salad with bacon (insensitive on multiple levels).

I liked most of the keynote speakers but didn't like the parade of hosts, sponsors, and city dignitaries I had to suffer through before being able to hear the keynote speakers.

That's what I mean by comme ci comme ca. There was good and bad all day long. Still, if the conference ever comes to my hometown, and all I have to do is wake up and drive to the convention center, then I will be there.

Yes We Can Have the Audacity to Hope that Our Faithful Fathers Put Country First! (or something like that)

No matter how politically conscious I think I am, I am always brought down a peg or two when I step up to the election booth. I start out strong. President/VP, check. U.S. Senator, check. U.S. Congressman (or woman), check. State Representative, check. Then I discover that there are not less than 10 local/state elections that I knew nothing about. Never heard of the offices; never heard of the candidates; don’t know what they are supposed to do in office.

I am trying to do better this year, but learning about all the myriad political offices up for grabs in my state is a daunting task. Fortunately, the Dallas Morning News website makes it easier. I found this lovely page that allows you to enter your address and it shows you all the races for your voting district. It even allows you to compare the positions of the candidates running in each race. Some of the information is incomplete but it is a wonderful place to start your research if you are so inclined.

Tip: Get started soon. If memory serves me correctly, there will be 27 races on the ballot November 4th.

Labels: Getting The Most From This Blog

At the bottom of most of my entries, there is a section called "Labels." As the name implies, it's a collection of words that would be appropriate "labels" for that particular entry. These labels allow the reader (you) to filter entries by subject matter. For example, if the labels section of an entry contains the word "nightlife" you can click on the word "nightlife" and all entries with that label will be dsiplayed regardless of the date they were posted. It makes navigating the blog much much easier.

I spent a lot of time over the weekend retro-labeling 90% of my entries for you; I hope it helps.

Cheers!

Play Date Dallas Part 2

I published my first post on Play Date Dallas September 23, 2008. Check it out for details regarding the Play Date concept. My first impression of Play Date Dallas was lackluster for a number of reasons, but I suspected that Play Date Dallas had potential so I determined to give it another chance. That second chance happened yesterday at Sankofa & Bar. I was not disappointed. I had a good time last night and here's why.

1) Taboo! - Need I say more?

2) A much better venue. My first experience with Play Date Dallas took place at Boston's restaurant. Boston's is a perfectly fine casual dining restaurant but is poorly configured for a night of mixing, mingling, and game playing (see my original post on September 23, 2008). Sankofa had a much better layout that worked well for the Play Date concept. It was easy to move in between tables to check out the action and to find opportunities to join in the fun. It was also easy for groups at adjacent tables to interact with each other. At Boston's, approximately 40% of the seating was high-backed booths which limited interaction.

3) Early arrival time. Play Date events begin at 8pm and end at 2am. If you truly want to play games, mix, and mingle in a low-key setting, arrive no later than 8:30pm and stay no longer than 10:30pm. At 10pm the laid-back vibe fades and the typical "club" vibe and all its usual patrons begin to emerge.

In the end, I am absolutely recommending Play Date Dallas to all who are curious. It is not special because of its novel concept, but because it offers the best of both worlds. If you want to have a good time without the pomp and circumstance of a nightclub, show up early. And if clubbing is still your thing, show up late and all is well.

TIP: Sign up for their e-mail list to receive advance notification of Play Date events. I haven't been spammed so far, but who knows if and/or when they'll sell my e-mail address to the highest bidder.

Action Pics Coming Soon

I'm constantly thinking of new ways to make the blog more dynamic. Adding live pictures from the myriad events I attend should have been obvious to me from the beginning, but I'm kind of slow when it comes to the obvious. The lightbulb over my head has finally clicked on and you can look forward to new pics very soon.

Be advised, my camera is rubbish, but we're in a recession so it will have to do for now. Maybe Santa Claus will bring me one for Christmas. I am also open to any charitable donations you would like to make to the cause.

Cheers!

Obligatory King Tut Post

He is here.

He is awesome.

You must go.

http://dallasmuseumofart.org/Dallas_Museum_of_Art/index.htm

Urban Street Bazaar 10/11/08

I don’t know about you, but I have reached my saturation point where dismal national news is concerned. If life is ending as we know it, then we need to start enjoying the little things like the upcoming Urban Street Bazaar in the Bishop Arts District.

http://www.urbanstreetbazaar.com/

I kind of hate the website because I think it is waaaay too busy, but that’s not the point. The point is that this Saturday from 10am – 8pm, you can escape the troubles of this world (political, financial, and otherwise) and stroll the streets of the Bishop Arts district as you talk and laugh with 40 vendors hawking their handcrafted wares.

The beautiful thing about a flea market (let’s call a spade a spade) is that it hearkens back to a different time when there were no behemoth discount stores stocking mass-produced versions of everything we could think of (I’m looking at you Wal-Mart and in fairness, I have to look at Target as well). Instead, you walked to the market; you shook the artisan’s hand; and you walked away with a one-of-a-kind product. It reminds us that relationships are what really matter in life - not the things we buy, the titles we hold, or the size of our 401Ks. Speaking of newly deflated bank accounts, another great thing about flea markets is that sometimes you can find unique, inexpensive gifts, and considering that I’ve already decided to have a “poor” Christmas this year (no gifts over $25), the Urban Street Bazaar is right up my alley.

Update: The Urban Street Bazaar was great fun. There was jewelry, clothing, personal care products, accessories for your favorite pet, and more. I learned that the Bazaar will happen again in December. Be on the lookout for it. Also, I wandered into a boutique called Indigo 1745 while in the neighborhood. If you're ever in the market for "upscale" denim, they've got some great styles. Ask for Denise; she was friendly and very knowledgable about the inventory and which cuts work best for different body types. You can tell her that I sent you, but she'd probably look at you with a blank stare as the Lady of Leisure remains a woman of mystery to most. Cheers!

Cheap Date Alert #9: FREE Theatre Tickets

If you have spent any time on this blog, then you know that Cheap Dates are one of my favorite things. I like to think of my “cheap date alerts” as my little way of encouraging men to practice the art of wooing women. The art of romance need not require a lot of money. It just takes a little research, a little creativity, and frequent visits to this blog if you live in Dallas.

This year Dallas is participating in Free Night of Theatre 2008. In 2005 Free Night of Theatre started its national campaign to attract new audiences to live theatre and to make theatre accessible to all by offering free tickets to the public. Over 600 theatres are participating throughout the country. Today in Dallas, more than 3000 (absolutely FREE) tickets were made available for reservation at 26 participating theatres throughout the metroplex. Tickets are available for shows October 16 – November 10, 2008. For a complete listing of participating theatres and show times please visit:

http://www.freenightoftheater.net/shows/

Update:
I have failed you, my dear readers. Though I learned of Dallas' Free Night of Theatre days ago, I did not alert you until just now. I thought nothing of this delay as tickets were not made available until 12noon, October 1st (today); however, I just checked the website to reserve my own tickets only to discover that ALL of the shows in Dallas were already "sold out." Apparently, good news travels fast.

The Sky Is Falling! The Sky Is Falling!

At least, that’s the way I’ve been feeling for the last two weeks. Every morning, I wake up to news stories on the radio predicting the collapse of the U.S. economy and life as we know it. Pretty soon, we’ll be rationing rice and rioting in the streets. I hope and pray that what I just typed is pure hyperbole and nothing more, but the last two weeks have me on edge largely because it’s so hard to understand what’s going on. What does it mean when someone says the market lost $850 billion dollars in a single day? How do you interpret the ups and downs of the Dow Jones Industrial Average and what is the Dow Jones Industrial Average anyway? Thankfully, I have found an outstanding resource to educate myself on the nation’s economic crisis. NPR’s money blog is dedicated to providing up to the minute coverage of the nation’s market woes in straight-talk English for those of us who didn’t graduate from the Wharton School of Business or receive doctorates in economics from [insert fancy school name here].

http://www.npr.org/blogs/money

Be sure to check out the September archives section because what you see on the home page is just the tip of the iceberg. There are links to articles from various newspapers and magazines, podcasts from NPR programs, and answers to questions posed by regular Joes and Janes like you and me.

And since this blog is about all-things Dallas, here’s a link to a story on Mayor Leppert’s speech to the Dallas Regional Chamber addressing how Dallas will weather this financial storm (courtesy of Dallas Morning News).

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/100108dnmetleppertspeech.c928393b.html

Play Date Dallas - an alternative to the club scene?

www.playdatedallas.com

Even during my prime club-hopping years (21-26), I never enjoyed the “club scene.” The lines, the smoking, the people wearing sunglasses at night, the expensive cocktails, the crowds, the scantily clad 20-somethings, and the unfortunate pick-up lines always left much to be desired. Now that I’ve hit the big 30 and 31 is fast approaching, not much has changed. I still dislike the club scene for all the reasons mentioned; only now I flat out refuse to attend. Instead, I search tirelessly for social alternatives to the club scene and when I find them, I try to mention them in this blog.

A new alternative has come to Dallas: Play Date Dallas (PDD). Originating in Atlanta, GA, the Play Date concept is simple. Instead of going to a club on Saturday night, go to a local lounge/bar and play all the games that you loved as a child in a relaxed atmosphere with all the other 30-somethings who have tired of going to nightclubs. Enjoy food, drink, conversation, and laughter as you meet new people over games like Hungry Hungry Hippo, Operation, and Connect Four.

I attended my first PDD event on Saturday, at Boston’s restaurant in Irving. My sister and I arrived to a packed restaurant at 10:40PM. Once inside, it was standing room only. Each table/booth was occupied with a group of people playing cards, a board game, or the like. Those of us not fortunate enough to get a table, were left standing along the walls. Event organizers floated around the restaurant passing out 18-inch cardboard panels reading “I Got Next” to patrons standing along the walls. Apparently, when my sister and I were ready to play a game, we were to approach the table with the game we wanted to play, show the current players our sign, and stand there until their game finished and they vacated the table. With patrons packing the aisles and waitstaff trying to navigate their way through the crowds, staking our claim on a game was next to impossible and quite frankly, a little rude. Who wants their first meeting with a stranger to be the result of having to kick them out of their booth?

My sister and I continued to hold up the wall, as we listened to a DJ playing music from the 70s and early 80s so loudly that we could barely hear ourselves. I suspect, however, that the tunes being played were released long before most of the attendees were born. That brings me to another observation. I would guess that the typical patron that night was 25 – still in his/her prime club-hopping years. This observation isn’t inherently bad and wrong; it’s just not what I expected.

After about 20 minutes, I told my sister that I was ready to leave whenever she was. As far as I was concerned, the writing was on the wall. No matter if we stayed 20 minutes or 2 hours, we were going to spend the whole time standing against the wall because the people sitting were never going to relinquish their prime real estate. We called it a night after one hour.

As we walked across the parking lot to the car, I was crestfallen. I had been so excited about Play Date Dallas. I was ready to love everything about it, but in the end I was disappointed. The same things that turn me off about nightclubs were present at PDD: sunglasses at night, crowds, and unfortunate pick-up lines. As my sister put it, “It’s just a night club with the lights turned on.”

Still, I want to believe in Play Date Dallas because conceptually, it has many social elements that I like: a relaxed venue without the pomp and circumstance of a nightclub, a smoke-free environment, games, and the opportunity to meet new people. Maybe if we had arrived earlier and gotten a table, maybe if the venue had been better suited to interaction, maybe if the music hadn’t been so loud, and maybe if the games had been more age-appropriate (e.g. Taboo and Scattegories) my opinion of the night would be different.

Because of all these “maybes” I’m willing to give Play Date Dallas another shot. I was told there would be another event at Boston’s in two weeks. I’ll be there with bells on. Wish me luck! Expect an update on this post soon.

State Fair of Texas - September 26 - October 19, 2008

Fair Park, Dallas

http://www.bigtex.com/

I have attended the State Fair of Texas (the largest state fair in the country, thank you very much) for most of my life. Even when I lived several states away, I made it a point to fly home for the Fair every year. Attending the Fair reminded me that no matter how far away I lived or how long I stayed away, Texas would always be in my heart. Now that I've moved back home to Dallas, the Fair hasn't lost its appeal. In fact, it has only risen in my esteem.

I've learned that there is more to the Fair than fried food, free concerts, livestock competitions, the auto show, and college football. There are museums, educational exhibits, cultural events, bird and dog shows, petting zoos and a mini-farm for the kids, and much much more.

I like to think of the State Fair of Texas as the great equalizer in Dallas. No matter the color of your skin, the language you speak, the amount of money in your wallet, or the year of your birth, the State Fair of Texas has something for everyone.

I invite you all to come out this year. Big Tex and I will be looking for you!

Book Review: My Horizontal Life: A Collection of One-Night Stands by Chelsea Handler

Nevermind that this book was published by Bloomsbury Publishing June 2005 and that I’m more than three years late on this review. Chelsea Handler’s My Horizontal Life: A Collection of One-Night Stands is a delightfully guilty pleasure that is well worth the read.

As the title implies, the book is a collection of essays about some of the funnier one-night stands that Ms. Handler endured during her twenties. Whether the essays are completely true, partially true, or not true at all is irrelevant. All that matters is that Handler’s sarcastic wit and complete shamelessness in retelling not-so-flattering stories about her conquests (real or imaginary) are a winning combination. I’m not talking profound prose here. Reading the book is like having a conversation with Handler herself, albeit a really long, one-sided conversation. Her informal, conversational tone is what allows you to suspend disbelief and to live vicariously in a world where men scurry out of windows to avoid detection and Handler gets stuck in windows while doing the very same thing.

It is hard to believe that Handler made it to her thirties undaunted and unscathed, but as a reader, I am so glad that she did. I will admit that I was tempted to have a one-night stand with Handler’s book - reading it in one night and tossing it aside for my next literary conquest; but a book this good should be savored so I invited it to stay for breakfast the next morning.

300 Dallas - An Upscale Bowling Experience?

3805 Belt Line Rd.
Addison, TX 75001
972.620.7700

I am not a huge fan of bowling. I do not have a problem with bowling. It is just not high on my list of fun ways to spend an evening. Still, I have bowled more than a few games in my lifetime. The games that I most enjoyed involved one or more of the following: a large group of people; consumption of a considerable amount of alcohol; or an upscale bowling experience that felt less like bowling and more like a night out. I was hoping for the third element when I patronized 300 Dallas ("300") on Saturday evening but that isn’t quite what I got.

300 is certainly an upscale bowling alley when compared to its down-scale competitors. As I walked through the entrance a reception area stood in the middle of the floor. To my left was a separate bar and billiards area with gleaming pool tables and a huge big screen TV tuned to ESPN (naturally). To my right was the shoe rental counter which, coincidentally, is also where you pick up your bowling ball.

My sister and I put our names on the waiting list. We were told it would be an hour to an hour and a half before a lane was available. That was fine with me as I was hungry and 300 has a full-service restaurant with more than your typical french fries, nachos, and hot dogs fare. Unfortunately, the “restaurant” is not so much a separate space as is the case with the bar/billiards area, as much as it is an open space between the reception desk and the bowling lanes. The “restaurant” was a mishmash of lounge-style seating arrangements, tables covered with table cloths and silverware, and more casual, uncovered tables. We picked a table at random and sat down.

I ordered Thai shrimp for my appetizer, a Caesar salad, and a cocktail. My sister ordered french fries, no drink. I will refrain from reviewing the food. I will say only that it was not worth the $36 I paid for it. That’s right. I paid $36 (tip not included) for food at what is essentially a bowling alley. Fortunately, our lane was ready soon thereafter.

The wood on the lanes shone in the dim lighting. The stripes on the lanes glowed light neon blue. There was a row of big screen TVs above the bowling lanes; each screen alternated between ESPN and a pre-programmed video channel which was piped through the sound system for our listening pleasure. There were approximately 40 lanes and in a far corner I could see an arcade for the kids.

By the time we left we had bowled three games and I had spent almost $100. Yep, I paid $100 for a night of bowling for two people. I keep emphasizing that it’s “just bowling” because I expected more from 300. It didn’t feel like a casual, yet upscale night out. It felt like a bowling alley, maybe a fancy bowling alley, but a bowling alley nonetheless. If all I am getting is “bowling” I can get it at a fraction of the cost with the same amount of satisfaction at my standard AMF.

300 has potential. It has all the elements of a casual, yet upscale social scene alternative. It just needs to tweak the elements a bit. Firstly, I shouldn’t see kids after 9PM on the weekends. Nothing ruins an upscale experience faster than kids. Secondly, the restaurant needs to be a completely separate space. As it stands, there is nothing separating the restaurant from the bowling area. I’m not suggesting a wall, but there needs to be some kind of design element creating a distinction between the two spaces. Doing so would create three separate entertainment zones: bar-billiards, restaurant-lounge, and bowling alley. Then 300 would attract not just people looking for a game of bowling, but also people looking for a place to have dinner, or a place to have drinks and people watch, or a place to shoot pool – in essence, a greater number and cross-section of customers. That’s what would make 300 worth the steep prices and that’s what would make 300 an upscale experience and more than just “just bowling.”

Dallas City Hall Blog

The 2008 presidential election (all elections really) makes me want to be more politically aware, not just nationally but locally as well. Watching political pundits on TV and listening to water cooler chat at work have reminded me that democracy works best when citizens are engaged and informed, but becoming engaged and informed is easier said than done.

I find the evening news does me more harm than good. I have to wade through 12 depressing minutes of killing, raping, and pillaging before I get 2 minutes of coverage on the goings-on at City Hall. Reading the newspaper everyday takes a lot of time (maybe I’m a slow reader?). I envy the people who read the paper everyday as I assume they have some sort of job that allows them to take three hours to read the paper from cover to cover each day. Don’t get me started on the relentless City Council meetings that take place every Wednesday. I still haven’t figured out how regular people are able to take time off work to attend Council meetings. Council meetings start at 9am and last all day. All this might leave me feeling defeated and helpless if it were not for a little gem I discovered a few months ago on http://www.dallasnews.com/ : the Dallas City Hall Blog. http://cityhallblog.dallasnews.com/

The Dallas City Hall Blog is a wonderful resource for anyone who wants to keep up with the votes and controversy going down at City Hall each day. There is news of appointments and resignations; budget crises; pet projects of Council members, Mayor Leppert, and City Manager Mary Suhm; but my favorite feature is the live blogging that takes place all day every Wednesday from the “peanut gallery” of Dallas City Council meetings. Dallas Morning News staff sit through those long meetings and give a blow-by-blow account of who said what to whom and why. In 15 minutes (or less) I can learn everything newsworthy that transpired during a City Council Meeting without having to sit through all eight hours of it or suffer through watching it on TWC public access.

Because of Dallas City Hall Blog, I can speak with confidence about matters such as Jenny the Elephant; Industrial Boulevard, Ross Avenue, and César Chavez; and whether Angela Hunt is secretly gearing up to challenge Mayor Leppert during re-election. As the name implies, Dallas City Hall Blog is concerned only with local news. If you want national news, I’m sure CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, and the behemoth that is Google News are happy to oblige.


I’ll let you in on a little secret: I work at City Hall (location and department are top secret) and I start and end each work day by reading the Dallas City Hall Blog. It’s my little way of staying ahead of the game.

The Sartorialist

Anyone who knows me well knows that I take myself waaaaaaaaaay too seriously. I am the most anxious and uptight person that I know. Consequently, when I stumble across something that reminds me to relax and have fun on the rollercoaster we call life, I pay attention.

Enter the Sartorialist. http://www.thesartorialist.blogspot.com/
I think I’m about three years late on this one, but better late than never. Here’s the long and the short of it: some guy who used to work at a fancy department store decided to start a blog on which he would showcase pictures of everyday people that he thought had a great sense of personal style (or something like that). His blog is filled with pictures of “stylish” people in their natural habitats of NYC and Western Europe.

I would never wear the majority of the outfits featured, but in a very simple way, looking at the pictures makes me happy. The “models” wearing their “interesting” outfits remind me that life doesn’t have to be so serious – that it’s okay to experiment….and to fail…and that I really should incorporate more color into my wardrobe.

For those of you who may be wondering…

Sartorialist (n.) – one who is concerned with the trade of tailoring or manner of dress

Cretia's Flour and Flowers

215 W. Camp Wisdom Rd., Duncanville, TX 75116

No matter how old we get, how successful we become, or how fabulous we think we are, a visit to Grandma’s* house always brings us back down to earth. Perhaps it is because of the complete lack of pretense at Grandma’s house. Perhaps it is because of the decorum and ladylike behavior that Grandmas often require. Perhaps it is because of the lingering smell of vanilla and sugar that remind us of childhood – a time when words like “success” and “fabulous” had not yet entered our lexicon. For all these reasons, lunching at Cretia’s Flours and Flowers (Cretia’s) is like a visit to Grandma’s house: comforting and unashamedly ladylike.

When I crossed the threshold into Cretia’s, I was enveloped by soft pink hues and flower prints. Women’s hats perched on top of hat stands and wrought iron chairs had backs formed into hearts. The waitstaff was uncommonly polite and attentive and gave me the uneasy feeling that if my elbows rested on the table or if I spoke with my mouth full, it would definitely be noticed. I should point out here that I dined at the original Cretia’s in Duncanville. A second location has opened in the trendy Uptown area of Dallas. I suspect that the vibe at this location, “Cretia’s on McKinney” is totally different from its predecessor and requires a separate review.

My lunch was a simple spinach salad with blue cheese and strawberries, and half of a turkey and cheese sandwich on croissant. For dessert, I had an equally simple slice of vanilla cake. I did walk on the wild side with my tea selection. I chose some sort of Russian blend. None of my meal components was particularly remarkable or inventive, but they were enjoyable just the same. Remember, grandmas don’t try to impress; they’re too busy making you feel welcome and wondering why you haven’t visited in so long. The same is true for Cretia’s. Cretia’s makes you feel comfortable, feeds you well, and encourages you to stay as long as you like just like your Grandma would.

*or “Nanna” or “Me-maw” or “Big Mama” or “Granny”

Tip 1: Lunch is lighter fare: soups, sandwiches, and salad. It’s more “tea room” than restaurant.

Tip 2: Cretia’s is also a full-service bakery with a fantastic selection. My slice of vanilla cake, though simple, was positively scrumptious!

Tip 3: Though I’m sure Cretia’s values its male customers, it just seems to be a place more suited to women (at least during lunch anyway).

Tip 4: Do NOT click “Home” on the restaurant’s webpage. Doing so takes you to a page that I’m pretty sure isn’t written in English (at least that’s what happened at the time of this posting).

Visit Cretia’s online at http://www.cretias.com/restaurant.html


Have you been to the Uptown location? Tell me about it in the comments section!

The Living Room Auditorium?

The business model of the 20th century seemed to be,

"Build a better mousetrap and the world will beat a path to your door."

Fast forward 100 years, and the business model of the 21st century seems to be,

"Build a just as good mousetrap, but paint it a funky color, or give it a different sound, or make it high end (or low end) and enough people will walk to your door and pay you a premium for that 'difference' that you will be able to make a profit."

This new business model hasn't been lost on the movie theatre business. There is the "megaplex" - the theatre with 15+ screens showing every mainstream movie at least 5 times/day. There is the "independent" theatre - the theatre that shows "less" mainstream films (independent theatres are too snooty to show movies; they show films). There is the dinner and a movie theatre - the theatre with a full bar, full menu, and full waitstaff. Now, a new niche has come on the scene.

In May 2008 Inwood Theatre debuted its "Living Room Auditorium" (5458 W. Lovers Lane at Inwood). Forget the stadium seating at those other theatres. At the Living Room Auditorium it's all about loveseats and oversized bean bag chairs. You and your Mr./Mrs. Right (now) can snuggle properly as you enjoy your flick - just as you would if you were at home. You are even allowed to re-arrange the furniture to suit your needs. I intend to try this new and different "theatretrap" tonight and will report back on if it's a business model that I think will last.

To see pictures of the "Living Room Auditorium" visit the website below.

http://www.landmarktheatres.com/Market/Dallas/InwoodTheatre.htm


UPDATE: There is something seductive about a dark room, plush loveseats, the freedom to get "close," and the possibility that others might see you necking (you know it's true). For this reason, the Living Room Auditorium (LRA) was a good time and it made a ridiculous movie (Pineapple Express) infinitely more bearable. However, even though I had a good time, the LRA seems to be more of a marketing gimmick than a sound business model.

Firstly, there is only one LRA inside Inwood Theatre. That means that my patronage of the LRA will be limited at best. The only movie showing Friday night was Pineapple Express. I suffered through this film only for the purpose of writing this review. Don't forget that the LRA is modeled after my actual living room. Why would I pay $10 to watch a bad movie while sitting on a sofa when I can do it at home for free?

Secondly, I assume that an auditorium filled with couches and bean bag chairs seats considerably less than a traditional auditorium further limiting revenue.

Lastly, as flat screen TVs get bigger, movies on demand become more plentiful, and TV definition gets higher, the LRA will become less and less attractive.

Having written all this, I am sure I will return to the LRA, but who knows when it will be showing a movie I actually want to see. It could be weeks. It could be months; and therein lies the LRA's problem.

TIP: Choice seats go fast so arrive early to claim your territory.

UPDATE 2: I returned to the Living Room Auditorium, newly renamed the Screening Lounge Auditorium, on September 20, 2008. It took me six weeks to return, not as long as I thought it would.

A Documentary You MUST See

Today, I gathered a random sampling of items from around my home to check out where they were manufactured. This is what I learned.

CD Case: Made in Philippines

Cocktail Dress: Made in China

Laptop Computer: Made in Japan

Pen: Made in Japan

Steam Iron: Made in Germany

None of these products was manufactured in the United States. Hold your horses; this is not another post about the loss of the U.S. manufacturing base. However, it is a post about a new documentary showcasing something just as important: the lives of long-haul truck drivers. That’s right. I’m encouraging you to check out a new documentary about truck drivers, one of the most under-appreciated professions around. Think about it. I have never visited China or Japan (although I would certainly like to). I did not have to save thousands of dollars to pay for an “around the world in 30 days” trip to gather all these items. Instead, I drove approximately 5 miles up the highway to my local discount retailer and shopping mall where I spent a mere $6 to buy a ball point pen produced thousands of miles away.

Long-haul truck drivers, these unsung heroes, did all the heavy lifting for me (and for you). Their efforts are detailed in a new documentary, Drive and Deliver, filmed by Academy Award-nominated director, Brett Morgen. Get a behind the scenes look at the men and women who spend hours at a time on the open road so that you don’t have to. Drive and Deliver premiers Friday, August 22nd at the Angelika Film Center (5321 East Mockingbird Lane, Ste. 230) at 6pm. The premier coincides with the Great American Trucking Show taking place in Dallas, TX at the Convention Center.

Update: I just got some bad news. The premier is a private screening for participants of the Great American Trucking Show only. But never fear, eventually the documentary will be released on DVD for us all to enjoy and to help us appreciate our friends driving the huge trucks that we can’t see around and never take off quite as fast as we would like. For more information visit: http://standalone.internationaltrucks.com/default.aspx .

Are you into documentaries? Leave your recommendations in the comments section.

Mmm Mmm Good

Christian Louboutin Shoes: $790
Gucci Dress: $1595
Gucci Clutch: $685
Dinner and drinks at the hottest, hippest newest restaurant in town: $200

Living Like a Celebrity:
A heck of a lot more than I can afford when gas is $4.20/gallon, milk is $4/gallon, and I live in a constant state of fear that I am going to be downsized on the job.

What’s a hot, hip, fashionable chic (of any age) to do? Maybe the Christian Louboutin shoes become Steve Madden. Maybe the Gucci dress and clutch become BeBe and Nine West respectively; BUT thanks to KRLD Restaurant Week, women (and men for that matter) can still dine at the hottest, hippest restaurants in Dallas like Nobu, N9NE Steakhouse, NOVE Italiano, and Cru for just $35/person from August 11-17, 2008.

$35 gets you a 3-course meal at participating restaurants (sorry, drinks not included so get liquored up before you leave home); and because every hot, hip, and fashionable chic needs a charitable cause du jour, you’ll be happy to know that proceeds from KRLD’s Restaurant Week benefit North Texas Food Bank in Dallas and the Lena Pope Home in Ft. Worth.

Reservations are an absolute must and they are going fast so don’t delay.

Visit http://www.krld.com/pages/2566177.php for a complete list of restaurants and to make your reservations.

Bon Appetit!

Have a favorite restaurant? Let me know about it in the comments section.

Have you heard about the Texas Conference for Women?

http://www.txconferenceforwomen.org/





Sponsored by Governor Rick Perry and his wife, the Texas Conference for Women is a full day of motivation and empowerment for women of all ages. The Conference is a wonderful opportunity for three reasons:

1) Registration fee is only $100 ($50 if you're a student, and there are discounts for group tickets and early registration).
2) Its Houston location is easily accessible for women all across the great state of Texas.
3) A phenomenal lineup of speakers and panelists that includes:

Cherie Blair: mother, human rights lawyer, and wife of former British Prime Minister Tony Blair
Sarah Jones: Tony Award Winning playwright
Meg Whitman: former president and CEO of eBay from 1998 - 2008

Join me in Houston to meet new friends and create new opportunities!
I hope to see you there.

Have you attended the Texas Conference for Women in previous years? Leave a comment telling me how you liked it.

Looking For a Good Time? Maybe You Should Go Back To School.

Local colleges and universities don’t exist solely to advance their students. Colleges and universities offer a number of (low-cost) intellectual, artistic, and scientific pursuits for the general public as well. Dallas-Ft. Worth is fortunate in that it has a number of robust colleges and universities at its disposal: University of Texas at Dallas (UTD), University of Texas at Arlington (UTA), Southern Methodist University (SMU), Dallas County Community College District, and Texas Christian University (TCU) to name a few.

Here is a quick glance at some of the goings on this week alone:

SMU – February 5, Tate Lecture Series presents actor and humanitarian, Martin Sheen, star of the TV series “The West Wing”

UTD – Every Tuesday in February, The Brain: An Owner’s Guide – 2008 Lecture Series

DCCCD – Eastfield Campus – February 7, Gallery 210 Exhibit 'Beau Comeaux: Recent Images' Reception and Gallery talk

TCU – February 7, TCU Symphony Orchestra Concert

UTA – February 9, Maverick Speaker Series presents a lecture and Q&A session with actor/director, Spike Lee

For more information about these specific events or to learn about other events on your local campus, see the websites below. Look for the section on each page devoted to “Upcoming Events.”

http://www.smu.edu/

http://www.utd.edu/

http://www.dcccd.edu/About+DCCCD/News+and+Events/Events/

http://www.uta.edu/

http://www.tcu.edu/

Something for the Kids

What: African-American Read-In
When: Saturday, February 2, 2-4pm
Where: Majestic Theatre, 1925 Elm Street, Dallas, TX 75201
Cost: FREE

I have had a lifelong love affair with books and reading. I read for entertainment. I read to learn. I read for information. I read to relax and I read to escape, but mostly, I read for the sheer pleasure of it.

My parents read me bedtime stories as I was growing up and my mother took me to the library often; but the one thing that had the greatest impact on my love of reading was the book mobile that visited my elementary school. Each year the book mobile would come to my school with a treasure trove of age-appropriate books, bookmarks, pens, pencils, stickers, and notepads for sale. I wish you could have seen the excitement that it caused! We all raced to the cafeteria during our lunch breaks, money in hand, ready for the hunt to begin. My money was always limited so I had to be careful to choose wisely. I must select just the right book, the right bookmark, the right stickers, and the right pen.

The book mobile taught me that books are something to be valued, something to get excited about. Take your kids to the African-American Read-In and share that excitement with them.

From DallasNews.com:
"Read, Believe, Achieve!" is the theme of the Dallas County Community College District's 2008 African American Read-In, a celebration of children's literature by African-American authors. After a welcome from Lyndale the Literary Lion, families attending the free event can check out staged readings, performances, art and poetry. This year's special guest is author and artist Ashley Bryan, who just won a 2008 Coretta Scott King Book Award for his illustrations in Let It Shine. Mr. Bryan will read from his books and talk about the fun of reading. Also scheduled during the day is the unveiling of the 2008 Black Heritage postage stamp honoring writer Charles W. Chesnutt. Free T-shirts, canvas bags and books will be handed out to audience members.

For more info: http://www.readin.dcccd.edu/

Jazzy's Place

1701 S. Lamar Street, Dallas, TX 75215

As you know, I have a love-hate relationship with Brooklyn Jazz Café; however, I refuse to let this schizophrenic association keep me from embracing (and now reviewing) its new addition, “Jazzy’s Place.” Jazzy’s Place is not a free-standing building at a second location, but rather an extension of the existing Brooklyn Jazz Café venue. Jazzy’s Place is sort of like Brooklyn Jazz “Lite.” It advertises itself as a place to watch sporting events, play chess/checkers, and to play shuffleboard (I’m not making this up). The point is this: Jazzy’s Place is a place to relax and hang out without all of the pomp and circumstance that you sometimes see at Brooklyn Jazz Cafe. I also suspect that the more casual atmosphere is meant to attract a slightly younger demographic than the 40-ish patrons of Brooklyn Jazz Café.

I had the opportunity to watch one of the NFL Playoff games there a couple of weeks ago. Admittedly, the crowd was sparse, but that had much more to do with a lack of awareness than a lack of hospitable surroundings. Jazzy’s Place has plush red and black booths and traditional chair seating, several, wall-mounted flat screen TVs, a private banquet room, a private patio, and the same full bar and food menus as Brooklyn Jazz Cafe. Though Jazzy’s Place is more casual than Brooklyn Jazz Cafe, it maintains its ties to its older sibling with jazz-inspired artwork on the walls, and jazz music piped into the surround sound. The jazz music was somewhat offensive to patrons at Jazzy’s Place the day of the playoffs as it made it difficult to hear the commentary on the game. Yet management had no problem lowering the music upon request.

I never spotted the chess/checker tables or shuffleboard, but all in all, I would recommend Jazzy’s Place. The addition of Jazzy’s Place shows that
1) Brooklyn Jazz Café is doing well (always good to hear), and
2) they are listening to customer feedback and maybe even reading my blog.

Why do I say this? I say this because the single greatest selling point of Jazzy’s Place is that finally there is enough room for those on the hunt (and those hoping to be hunted) to truly go on the prowl.

Heads Up: Brooklyn Jazz Café is hosting a Superbowl viewing party on Superbowl Sunday sponsored by radio station KRNB. Doors open at 3pm. It’s a ticket-only event so listen to KRNB 105.7 for your chance to win (or you can keep calling obsessively).

Texas Black Film Festival 2008

What: Texas Black Film Festival
When: January 31 - February 2; 10am - Midnight
Where: Studio Movie Grill - Addison (5405 Beltline Road, Dallas, TX 75248)

It's not Sundance, Toronto, or the National Black Film Festival; it is something better - a film festival that showcases not just national talent, but homegrown Texas talent as well. In addition to documentaries, feature films, and film shorts, there are educational workshops and networking opportunities for actors and filmmakers.

I think we can all agree that small film festivals like this one are a vital platform for fledgling filmmakers to let their artistic voices be heard and to receive invaluable feedback from audience members and experts in the industry, but the only way to ensure that these festivals remain financially viable is to support them with our dollars. At the Texas Black Film Festival your $8 ticket will do more than just line the pockets of a big-budget studio in LA. It will open doors and possibilities for an entire generation of African-American filmmakers.

For more information about film schedule, ticket prices, and the history of the festival, check out
http://www.texasblackfilmfestival.com/.

Mardis Gras comes to Dallas!!!

Get ready for Mardi Gras 2008 in Victory Park! The city seems to be committed to making Dallas the "NYC" of the South. 1st it was New Year's in Victory Park and now this. I'll be there. What about you???

From the website: http://www.quickdfw.com/mystiqal/

MystiQal is all about the true New Orleans Mardi Gras with a Quick twist in Victory Park.

MystiQal will be a night parade with beads and baubles featuring pre- and post-parties along the parade route, live music and loads of fun activities with food and drink that celebrate everything that is Mardi Gras.

All activities will kick off at 5pm with the opening of the street festival, located on High Market between Victory and Houston Streets, in the heart of Victory Park. The Mardi Gras Run will begin at Houston Street and Continental. The Grand Parade will begin at 7:30pm, so pick your spot behind the barricades, anywhere along Victory and Houston Streets, and get ready to catch beads and baubles. Live entertainment on the stage and street festival activities will continue until 11pm.

We are not planning any children's activities as MystiQal will be an authentic Mardi Gras experience in Dallas on Saturday, February 2, 2008. Now is the time to book your babysitter and join us at MystiQal.

All content contained on this website is for informational purposes only and is subject to change without notice, so please check back for updates.

Cheap Date Alert #8: Arts District Walking Tour

Learn more about Dallas's Arts District.

From http://www.artsdistrict.org/stroll/ :

Take the Arts District Stroll! Join us for the Arts District Stroll, your private guided tour of the history and architecture of Dallas' Arts District. Bring your friends, family and coworkers on a leisurely walk through the largest downtown area (19 blocks and over 68.4 acres) dedicated to the arts in the United States. Trained docents lead the hour-long, easy walk pointing out the architecture, the tradition, and the history of this unique neighborhood. While at the same time, they will be sharing with you the latest on Arts District entertainment, dining possibilities, and nightlife.

For more information:



http://www.artsdistrict.org/stroll/index.asp