Bastille on Bishop is just around le corner again — complete with plans for a French maid relay.

No doubt, the relay would make for an amusing feature story, so I’m looking for a few 2010 participants (or aspiring 2011 ones, and heck, even maid-watching partygoers) to tell me about it.

If you don’t mind being quoted, call 214-523-5269, or drop me line at georgia.fisher@peoplenewspapers.com.

Yoga by sunrise at the Belmont Hotel

If you’re into yoga and are an early riser, or you’re in need of finding some peace before a hectic workday, check out Clairevista’s sunrise yoga class.

Every Tuesday at 6:15 a.m., Clairevista and local yoga studio Tranquilo offer a pool-side, yoga sunrise class at the Belmont Hotel.

Clairevista owner Chris Weigel said it starts out a little dark, but soon enough the sun rises up from behind downtown and the view is spectacular. “A combination of the view, sunrise, the pool fountains, crowing roosters, a slight breeze, and top-notch instruction is better than a cup of coffee to start your day,” he said.

Anyone is welcome (not just Clairevista members); the first class is free; thereafter, it’s $12 for dropping in or 10 classes for $100.

If you’re into mornings (or you need to be), check this out.

If you haven’t heard, the Oak Cliff home and downtown office of County Commissioner John Wiley Price are currently being raided by the FBI — and he may not be the only commissioner under investigation. Stay tuned.

At 1:15 a.m. Wednesday, a patron skipped a $300 tab at Huckleberry’s Bar & Grill after a disagreement with some other customers. The patron fled in a red Mitsubishi.

After 6 p.m. Wednesday, a would-be burglar caused $100 worth of damage to a lock while trying to break into Rush Patisserie.

Between 9 p.m. Thursday and 1:45 a.m. Friday, a thief took three trips to remove the following items from the basement and loading dock of The Indigo: a $399 oxygen acetylene torch, a $257 sump pump, a $10 package of Husky dikes, four $10 Klein screwdrivers, and a $10 pair of Husky pliers.

After 8 p.m. Saturday, a burglar popped the lock on the front door to Mariela’s Bridal Boutique and stole 18 tiaras, each valued at $100.

I just learned the sad news about Jack’s Backyard via Facebook. More details to come.

Scott Griggs

Keepin’ you posted in advance! Monday is a busy one for City Hall!

Mr. Scott Griggs, mayor-elect Mike Rawlings, and other new council members will be inaugurated at the Meyerson Symphony Center on Monday morning at 10 a.m. (sorry, it’s not open to the public).

Around 2 p.m., the council will vote on whether to approve the proposed nine-member gas drilling task force, which includes Oak Cliff’s John McCall.

At 4:30 p.m., Delia Jasso will host a June Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender celebration at City Hall in the Flag Room.

We’ll keep you up to speed on the day’s events!

During this weekend’s 72-Hour Better Block Challenge, FIDO will be hosting another pop-up pooch park — giving you the opportunity to lend a hand and enjoy the community, while letting your pup have some fun, too.

Team Better Block, head up by OC’s Jason Roberts, in collaboration with the city of Dallas, plans to hold a 72-hour “Urban Design Challenge” to turn blighted and vacant areas on Ross Avenue into vibrant and active places — utilizing simple, fast, and affordable methods to foster our city’s greatest asset: community!

Visitors will get to experience the revitalization at Ross Avenue from Pavillion to North Hawkins Street. Activities include: live artist facade, food-truck court, and Pocket Park. Part of Ross will be transformed into an urban street market inspired by Las Ramblas Market in Barcelona, Spain.

Three Sheets will unveil their new deck where people can sit and soak in the day’s activities, while Fellowship Church will have water activities for visitors to stave off the heat…not to mention the pooch-park.

Sounds like a blast! Hope to see OCers there!

WHEN & WHERE: Sunday, June 26; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Ross Avenue, between North Hawkins and Pavillion streets

During the Friends of Oak Cliff Park’s quarterly meeting this Saturday at 1 p.m., Janet Smith, a Dallas County Master Gardener speaker, will present a program entitled “Sex in the Garden.” (Hmm…two ways this could go?)

The event will take place in the community room of the Grand Bank (305 E. Colorado Boulevard), across from Lake Cliff Park (aka = air conditioning!).

The meeting is free and open to the public, and president of Friends of Oak Cliff Parks, Barbara Barbee, welcomes all. For more information, call 214-331-4758 or email brbrb303@aol.com.

We expect a full report!

Van Johnson (Stevens Park Village resident and avid sender of local photos) snapped the shot above today, indicating life actually exists before 7 a.m. — and from an Oak Cliff standpoint, it looks pretty good.