Photo: Courtesy of Dallasgaragesalesfromhell.com

I did some looking in to illegal garage sales after talking to Gay Revi, developer of the Dallas Garage Sales From Hell blog. I later found out from James Childers, assistant director of code compliance with the city, that embedded within the proposed fiscal 2011 budget was a $5 permit fee for garage sales, which we reported in last week’s issue of Oak Cliff People.

“That’s one of the things that the city manager has proposed in terms of generate revenue,” said Councilwoman Delia Jasso last week. “It’s what we call a garage sale permit fee. It would be a $5 fee. It could generate around $100,000 in the first year. That’s just from the fee.”

When I spoke to Jasso, she still had questions about how the permit would be implemented and enforced and how the fee would be collected. She did say the $5 fee was reasonable, and not prohibitive, and would bring in $100,000 in new revenue.

“Once I get my questions answered, I would certainly work toward it,” Jasso said. “I think $5 is not an excessive fee. If we can get this done, it will help us to curb those people that are having excessive garage sales throughout the month and throughout the year.”

Well, Steve Thompson over at the DMN is reporting this week that Jasso, with some help from Mayor Pro Tem Dwaine Caraway, is asking the council to bump the fee from $5 to $25.

“Jasso and Caraway estimate the fee could bring in $500,000 next year, and they recommend the money go toward senior dental services, cultural affairs programs, graffiti removal and animal services,” according to Thompson’s post.

What do you think? Are Jasso and Caraway getting the cart before the horse? If a $5 fee was reasonable to Jasso last week, then why increase it to $25?

In an impromptu ceremony at the Oak Cliff Tower today (Sept. 1), Dallas firefighters honored first responders killed in the 9/11 attacks by reading the victims’ names from a piece of paper, then placing a black rock on the pieces.

Members of Oak Cliff’s fire Station 15  attended around 1:30 p.m. Eventually, 421 total rocks and names for killed first responders will be placed in the base of two clear plastic replicas of the twin towers  in the building’s lobby.

“It means a lot to us, that someone would take time to honor the firemen…to show their appreciation for what we do,” said Fire Lt. Brandon Terry.

Blocks of many colors, bearing the names of every other person killed in the attacks on 9/11, will be placed in the remaining space in the clear towers between now and Sept. 10.

The tower is a project of tower managing partner Ralph Isenberg, who has also placed about 50 pieces of art he owns concerning 9/11 in the building’s lobby.

Get more news on the commemoration project in the Sept. 10 edition of Oak Cliff People…

Barak Epstein (lower right) with Oak Cliff Foundation chairman Stuart Sikes (lower left), foundation secretary  Ninette McDonald, and foundation past chairman Monte Anderson at the signing of the Texas Theatre lease Aug. 30.

This morning (Aug. 30), representatives of the Oak Cliff Foundation, which owns the Texas Theatre, signed a five-year operating lease with Barak Epstein, a Lakewood resident.

Epstein, an independent film producer and film consultant, tentatively plans to invest $100,000 to $200,000 in renovating the theater, he said.

The lease requires Epstein to run proposed changes past the foundation because of its historic landmark status, said Monte Anderson, foundation past chairman who brokered the deal.

Epstein said he hopes to show old films as well as independent films both large and small. He added he plans to start renovations in September for some “soft” openings in October.

Check Friday’s edition of Oak Cliff People for more details…

Bob Wright and Lesley Berry share a laugh during one of the final dinners at 48 Nights. (Staff photo by Christina Barany)

Back in February, I had the pleasure of attending the first dinner at 48 Nights. In case you’re unaware, 48 Nights is a guerrilla restaurant that benefits the Mass Care Task Force. Each week for 24 weeks, a different high-profile chef donated his talents to the cause. (When I was there, our meal was prepared by Marc Cassel of Park.) (more…)

There’s no shortage of great live music this weekend. You can catch Miss Marcy tonight at Bar Belmont, Ruby Jane and Luna Matto at the Kessler, or even Ciao Bella at Jack’s Backyard. All three are good places to put a drink in your hand and relax, because hey, it’s Friday.

Tomorrow, though, you could head over to the Daniel Padilla Gallery for the opening of the “Urban Pieces” show, which will include works like “Eruption” at left. After that, mosey on over to the Tradewinds Social Club to catch the BiPolar Express album release party.

Find more fun things to do in this week’s issue of Oak Cliff People.

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Here’s another one for the not-so-smart criminal playbook…

Around 1:30 p.m. Sunday (Aug. 22), a burglar smashed a glass door of Tony’s Garage in the 1900 block of West Jefferson Boulevard, causing $300 worth of damage, and stole a $130 box of tools. The burglar then drove away east on Jefferson, police reports stated.

The only problem: He had apparently painted his name on the getaway van.

A witness saw the burglar flee in a white 2002 Chevrolet van with a blue cartoon character and the words “Charles Barrientos” painted on it.

Police vehicles, including a helicopter, were used to find and stop the van in the 2100 block of West Colorado Boulevard, where the toolbox was recovered. Charles Barrientos Jr., 39, was arrested on burglary charges, and Jonny Rivera, 38, was arrested on a warrant, police Sr. Cpl. Kevin Janse said.

This and other creative ideas can be found in this week’s Oak Cliff People police blotter…

My sno-cone-induced euphoria following a visit to Aunt Stelle’s last weekend didn’t last long. As I turned my van around on Marlborough, I found myself facing a perplexing sign above this home’s garage: “Do something even if its wrong.” What does this mean? And should I read it as a supplement to the adjacent “No trespassing” sign or vice versa?

Monday is the tentative registration deadline for entering the barbecue competition of the Blues, Bandits, and BBQ event planned on Davis Street for Sept. 11-12, according to event organizer Amy Cowan.

Cowan said there may be a few openings after that, based on space and need.

The competition is planned to be behind the Kessler Theater, and includes categories in beef brisket, pork ribs, whole chicken, and homemade sausage. Entry is $100 for the first category and $25 for each additional category.

Just a reminder, the benefit for long-time Winnetka Heights resident and volunteer Vicki Fitzgerald is at the Kessler Theater  at 1230 W. Davis St. from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday.

The benefit’s proceeds go to help Fitzgerald’s medical bills from battling cancer, the benefit’s web site states. Tickets to the event are $20, which provide for two free drinks and hors d’oeuvres.

The benefit will have music performances by Floramay Holliday,  Ann Armstrong and Steve Hughes, Goodwin, and The Happy Campers. There will also be a silent auction.

Unable to attend? You can still donate by going to the benefit’s web site here.

Check out Oak Cliff People’s story printed  today for more details…

Comerica Bank is going to donate $50,000 to the Friends of the Dallas Public Library, to buy materials for the Polk-Wisdom and North Oak Cliff branch libraries. That’s according to a Comerica press release forwarded by the city.

Ralph Babb Jr., chairman and CEO of Comerica Bank, announced at a press conference with Mayor Tom Leppert at city hall today that the bank will be “adopting” the two branches. The money will be used to buy books, magazines, children’s materials, educational films, and educational computer software at the two branches, the release stated.

The bank also intends to start financial literacy programs for adults and children at the branches, according to the release.