I’ve been trying get into my alma mater, the Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, for a look-see ever since the renovations were completed. But in a post-9/11, post-Columbine world, my access has been denied.

I thought tonight was my chance, as the school is hosting the fundraising Flying Horse Performance Festival. Too bad the tickets cost $500.

On a related note, I know a lot of alums from my era (the early 90s) live in North Oak Cliff. But how many current Arts students/parents are among our readership? Sound off, artists.

Oddfellows, located in the Bishop Arts Distract,  has long been known for its tasty breakfast, brunch, and lunch offerings—-those to-die-for buttermilk pancakes, cheese grits, housemade waffles, made-to-perfection fried green tomatoes, not to mention its finely-brewed coffee.

Patrons rejoice! Oddfellows will soon be adding dinner to its repertoire, announced co-owner Amy Cowan via Facebook. The hype will begin with a kick-off fundraiser at the restaurant at 316 W. 7th Sreet on Tuesday, March 29 at 7 p.m.

Tickets cost $25 and benefit Go Oak Cliff. There are only 50 tickets available, so rush, rush. If you’re lucky enough to get in, you’ll be one of the first patrons to peek at the new dinner menu.

Call: 214-944-5958 or e-mail Amy Cowan at amy@cowanroberts.com for more information. Happy dining!

OC Bicycle Company's revolutionary "barbikecue"

According to the lovely folks at Oak Cliff Bicycle Company, you can join them at the trailhead at Oak Cliff Nature Preserve on Sunday for some barbecued goodies.

We are going to start feeding you at the trailheads from now on so come down and enjoy the trails with us. This Sunday, March 27th we will kick off our barbikecue/demoish thingy. Sorry we aren’t as rich as some of your favourite shops, but if you would like to try out some Sram™ shifting or single speed madness, we will bring a few bikes for you to throw a leg over. Bring your bike and let’s ride!

It’s invigorating to know just how many Oak Cliff and Dallas residents care about their children’s education. More the 70 parents, teachers, and concerned taxpayers met on Tuesday evening for an open forum with Dallas Friends of Public Education. The forum, held at Methodist Dallas Medical Center’s Hitt Auditorium, provided an opportunity for the public to express its opinions on the monumental budget cuts facing DISD — as much as $260 million or 20 percent of the district’s entire budget.

DFPE’s primary role is to relay the public’s concerns to the school board of trustees, who will then vote on the budget cuts.

Suggestions from the public included eliminating the following:

• Academic coaches
• Bilingual education
• DISD police force
• Campus Instruction Leadership Teams
• Teacher assistants
• Elementary school counselors

Other ideas included either eliminating or greatly reducing:

• Athletic budgets
• Benchmark testing
• Administrative staff
• Energy use
• Time teachers are absent from classrooms

And:

• Charging for summer school
• Implementing mandatory furlough days
• Salary cuts
• Transitioning to a four-day work week

DFPE chairwoman Kyle Renard said it’s imperative that DFPE be the voice of the people by acting as a clearinghouse of ideas for budget cuts, which makes issues more relevant to the board of trustees

“When people feel like they have a voice, they’re more likely to be engaged,” she said.

Back in July, we published a story about Amber Pickens, a teenager from the Bishop Arts area who earned a summer fellowship with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in New York. Pickens — also recipient of the nickname “Little Bun Head,” thanks to her childhood dance-class hairdo — was thrilled, and bound for training that included hip-hop, Caribbean, and contemporary dance, plus staples like pointe and modern ballet.

That was then. Next on her resume: The Juilliard School.

The senior at Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts has just been accepted into the famed New York arts conservatory’s next freshman class — and according to an admissions director, she’s the only Texas dancer to get the honor this year.

Congratulations, Amber!

Until Dan Koller stumbled upon this website, I had no clue Oak Cliff was (well, is) home to a Tibetan Buddhist meditation center. Interesting, huh?

Fueled by curiosity,  I visited Karma Thegsum Choling last week. I’ll have a story about it and some of the friendly folks I met there in Friday’s issue of Oak Cliff People — and expect I’ll wonder about them every time I drive by the center now (It’s near the intersection of West 12th street and South Winnetka Avenue, and a dead ringer for a regular house).

Thanks to photographer Allison Slomowitz for the image above.

We’ve had a lot of coverage of tree plantings in the paper lately, from Jefferson Boulevard to Polk Street. But the greenery keeps going. Tomorrow morning, volunteers from Friends of Oak Cliff Parks and the Senior Source will do their part to beautify Lake Cliff Park. The work begins at 9. Potential participants are encouraged to RSVP to Susan Grundy at sgrundy @theseniorsource.com or 214-525-6134.

John Moreno and Dennis Kershner at their home in Kessler Lake Estates.

It’s not too late to attend the annual AIDS Services of Dallas “No Tie Dinner & Dessert Party,” chaired by Oak Cliff’s Dennis Kershner, this Saturday at the Frontiers of Flight Museum, beginning at 8 p.m. Ticket donations are suggested at a minimum of $50.

As the largest fundraiser for ASD, the organization will raise money to provide housing and supportive services for homeless men, women, and children living with HIV/AIDS. There will be a silent auction, including a $5K Lenox air-conditioning system, a trip to Play de Carmen, furniture and designer household furnishings, restaurant gift certificates, hotel rooms, facials, and jewelry.

Kershner and his partner John Moreno hosted a pre-No Tie bash at their home a few weeks ago and shared with us how they did it on small budget. Kershner has been involved with ASD for many years and said he thought he could make a difference being on the board.

So, if you’re free Saturday night, head to the Frontiers of Flight Museum for great food, great booze, and a great cause.

Everybody knows that the state’s schools are in a budget crisis. That’s why Dallas Friends of Public Education has scheduled a forum for 6:30 p.m. tomorrow at Methodist Dallas Medical Center‘s Hitt Auditorium. The moderator will be former DISD teacher, principal, trustee, and state Rep. Harryette Ehrhardt. According to an e-mail that’s been making the rounds, you will have an opportunity to:

Hear accurate, up-to-date information about the proposed 2011-2012 budget cuts from State and Local representatives. What do we know? What don’t we know? Public suggestions collected so far.

Hear about the strategic plan that is unfolding at Dallas ISD from members of the recently formed Public Budget Commission..

Collectively engage in the dialogue that we are all having individually.

Ask questions and submit budget reduction ideas to members of the Public Budget Commission.

Learn about how YOU can help.

See you there?