It's All About the Kids (and it's all FREE)

There are various kid-friendly activities going on Saturday, January 31st. From the Dallas Morning News website...

• Dale Oliver, 1992 world yo-yo champion, will give a yo-yo demonstration at Bookmarks at NorthPark Center. 2pm
• African-American Read-In: The Dallas County Community College District's 10th annual gathering will feature readings of black literature by writers, celebrities, storytellers and performers. Author and motivational speaker Lisa Nichols and actress Irma P. Hall are scheduled to appear. Also, Dallas Black Dance Theatre will perform. Costumed character Lyndale the Literary Lion will be on hand to entertain kids at the celebration, which is geared toward ages 8 and older. Organizers recommend arriving early. 2-4pm
• Comedy magician Magic Mike will perform his interactive show. Showtime Saturdays are presented by Galleria Dallas and Slappy’s Puppet Playhouse, near the Play Place at Galleria Dallas (Level 3). 11:30am

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/

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.

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 #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

Tulisoma 2007: South Dallas Book Fair and Arts Festival

African-American Museum
3536 Grand Avenue – Fair Park
Dallas, TX

August 24-26

From the website:
Tulisoma, Swahili for "we read", is a community-based literary festival promoting literacy and the arts in the South Dallas/Fair Park area. Founded in 2003, by former City Councilman Leo V. Chaney, Jr., and Dr. Harry Robinson, President and CEO of the African American Museum, the goal of Tulisoma is to create a dynamic event tailored to engage local families, avid readers, aspiring writers and visitors to the city.

For more information: http://www.tulisoma.com/index.htm

Cheap Date Alert #4: Taste of Dallas 2007

July 13-15, 2007
West End Historic District
Fri - 11am - midnight
Saturday - 11am - 1am
Sunday - Noon - 8pm
Admission: absolutely FREE !!!

From DallasNews.com:
With an anticipated attendance of more than 300,000 people, the 21st annual Taste of Dallas might live up to its billing as Texas' largest free festival. The three-day celebration showcases the area's culinary prowess with fare from about 40 area restaurants. There'll also be children's activities, as well as a live entertainment lineup that covers folk rock, blues, country and other genres. Friday night's highlights include a recipe contest featuring finalists in four categories (appetizer, entree, sides, dessert). One of the judges is Taylor Parks, who plays Little Inez in the movie Hairspray, opening July 20. Good to know: Food samples at the event, presented by West End Events LLC, generally cost about $2 to $4 each. – BINDU VARGHESE / Staff Writer

Celebrating Juneteenth (Freedom Day)

Juneteenth has a special place in my heart because its origins are rooted in Galveston, TX.
Though the Emancipation Proclamation was issued on January 1, 1863, and though Robert E. Lee surrendered to Ulysses S. Grant on April 9, 1865 (ending the Civil War), word of the freeing of the slaves did not reach Galveston until June 19, 1865. June 19 (Juneteenth) has since become known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day. What started out as a regional holiday (Texas, Arkansas, and Oklahoma) has become a national day of celebration and remembrance.

For general information about Juneteenth check out:
http://www.juneteenth.com/

Upcoming Events…

Juneteenth Celebration at Valley Ridge Park
June 16, 2007
4pm – 10pm
Valley Ridge Park
2850 Park Ridge Drive
Cedar Hill, TX

The cities of Lancaster, DeSoto, Cedar Hill and Duncanville have joined together for the 4th Annual Best Southwest Juneteenth Celebration. There will be food, vendor booths, children’s activities, gospel and general entertainment for adults, and much more. FREE admission.

For more information call 972.230.9651. or visit

http://www.duncanville.com/juneteenth/

Real Men Cook for Charity
June 17, 2007
3pm
Gilley’s of Dallas
1135 South Lamar
Dallas, TX 75215
$20/adult; $10/child

From DallasBlack.com:
A fun-filled, all you can eat food tasting event! A celebration of men, fathers and families. Celebrities will include 2005 Host Darius McCrary “Eddie Winslow”-Family Matters; 2005 Host Darrin Henson-Soul Food; Rockman Dunbar-Soul Food, Prison Break & Girlfriends; Hill Harper–NY CSI. Real Men Cook is committed to the positive promotion and support of men in the community.There will be on-site kids activities to provide children with a hands-on opportunity to showcase mentoring and the dispensation of smiles for their fathers or the real men in their lives. Sponsors: Real Men Cook for Charity, Bounty and Southwest Airlines Contact Information
http://www.realmencook.com/
realmencookdallas@ yahoo.com Terry Allen, Dallas Event Manager, 214.376.6530 Info Line 214.231.5671


Celebration of African and African-American Art

June 19, 2007
6pm - 9pm
McKinney Avenue Contemporary
3120 McKinney Avenue
Dallas, TX 75204
214.953.1212
Suggested donation: $10 or $15

This event is not explicitly intended to commemorate Juneteenth but it does celebrate the freedom of artistic expression which we now enjoy.
From the DallasNews.com:
An opening reception June 19 at the McKinney Avenue Contemporary for "Art & Culture for Seeds: A Celebration of African and African American Art" celebrates the works of eight artists, including Radcliffe Bailey and Sherlock Artis. The reception also benefits nonprofit organization SEEDS (Sports for Education and Economic Development in Senegal) and includes live music and refreshments from the Cape restaurant. – BINDU VARGHESE / Staff Writer


Juneteenth Celebration - City of Plano
June 23, 2007
8am – 10 pm
Douglass Community Center
1111 H Avenue
Plano, TX

The City of Plano Douglass Community Center will host the 2007 Juneteenth Celebration. Join in the observance and enjoy a day of community service, family fun and games, live music, celebraty sporting event, a carnival atmosphere and food vendors. For more information contact the Center at 972-941-7174.